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Rifle Gravel Pit #1 June 2021 <br /> potentially occupied habitats, there is no anticipated direct, indirect or cumulative impacts to <br /> habitats. This project will have No Effect to the phacelia or its Critical Habitat. <br /> 4.5.2 Ute ladies'-tresses <br /> Habitat for this orchid occurs along riparian edges, gravel bars, old oxbows, high flow <br /> channels, and moist to wet meadows along perennial streams. It typically occurs in stable <br /> wetland and seepy areas associated with stable features within historical floodplains of <br /> major rivers. It also is found in wetland and seepy areas near freshwater lakes or springs, <br /> and soils range from alluvial sands and gravels to coarse silts and clays. <br /> This species was discovered in the Roaring Fork valley along irrigation ditches, canals, and <br /> ponds near Carbondale in 2009 and was subsequently added to County lists in the area by <br /> USFWS. This species has not been observed much further downstream along the Roaring <br /> Fork than Cattle Creek confluence and has not been observed on the Colorado River <br /> mainstem. Although the property is outside the area of known occupancy for the orchid, <br /> suitable habitat does occur in discontinuous areas on the property, primarily along the banks <br /> of the Last Chance return ditch and within the herbaceous wet meadows supported by <br /> irrigation return flows. <br /> The development of the mine would entirely remove any areas of potential habitat for the <br /> orchid. There is a potential for direct impacts to individuals if a previously unrecorded <br /> population occurs on the property. If the project includes a federal nexus, the USFWS may <br /> request that surveys be completed in areas of suitable habitat before those areas are <br /> developed. Surveys must be completed during the orchid's blooming season, generally in <br /> August. <br /> There are also areas of suitable habitat adjacent to the property. Indirect impacts to adjacent <br /> habitat are limited to and increased potential for noxious weed establishment during the <br /> reclamation process. There is no gradient nor mechanism for discharges of sediment to <br /> reach adjacent habitat areas, assuming compliance with the Colorado Department of Public <br /> Health and Environment(CDPHE) Stormwater Permit conditions. Best Management <br /> Practices (BMPs) would be used to control noxious weeds during operation and <br /> reclamation. <br /> In summary, the property contains limited potential habitat for the species but is outside the <br /> area of known occupancy. The potential habitat would be lost in the process of developing <br /> the mine, but the likelihood of direct impacts to a previously unrecorded population is very <br /> small. The USFWS may request clearance surveys to establish species absence if the <br /> project includes a federal nexus. Surveys would eliminate the potential for direct impacts. <br /> The anticipated indirect impacts of mine development could result in an insignificant and <br /> temporary degradation of potential habitat for the orchid in the vicinity of the Project but <br /> would be minimized by CDPHE-mandated stormwater controls. Therefore, the Proposed <br /> Action" may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. <br /> 11 <br />