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6.4.8 Exhibit H <br /> Wildlife Information <br /> The parcel proposed for the project provides habitat for multiple wildlife species <br /> throughout the year. The proposed project falls within the overall range and concentration <br /> area for mule deer, overall range and concentration area for whitetail deer, overall range and <br /> concentration area for pronghorn, overall range and concentration of swift fox, historic range <br /> for greater prairie-chicken, and the estimated occupied range and connectivity zone for lesser <br /> prairie-chicken. In addition, the proposed project falls within habitat of other species of wildlife <br /> including burrowing owls, other raptors, coyotes, songbirds, bats, and other small mammals. <br /> The area is primarily used as rangeland with a small percentage of dryland farm ground. <br /> The area is mostly populated by sand sage. The dry North Fork of the Smoky Hill River runs <br /> from the north along the east boundary of the proposed property. Eureka Creek is located on <br /> the west boundary of the proposed property. Rangeland or Conservation Reserve Program <br /> (CRP) surrounds the remainder of the proposed property. Dryland farm ground is also found <br /> nearby. <br /> The State of Colorado lists the lesser prairie-chicken as a State Threatened Species <br /> under state law. A decision from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is due May of 2021 whether <br /> protection for the species under the ESA is warranted. The parcel for the proposed project falls <br /> within the CHAT 2 or Connectivity Zone for the lesser prairie-chicken. Habitat designated as <br /> CHAT 2 priority area means the parcel is important for the movement of the lesser prairie- <br /> chickens between CHAT 1 priority areas. Lek survey has not shown any active in the area of the <br /> proposed Mattics pit, but the location of the pit does fall between two important focal areas of <br /> the lesser prairie-chickens. The first focal area is about 3 miles east and the second is about <br /> 10.5 miles to the northwest of the proposed parcel. The pit has the potential to disrupt <br /> movements of the lesser prairie-chicken between focal areas. Fremont Paving and Redi-mix <br /> will follow CPW recommendations: <br /> 1. Limit disturbance area size and reclaim disturbance areas prior to continuing to next <br /> disturbance area to minimize potential impacts. <br /> 2. Installation of raptor perch deterrents on tall structures. <br /> 3. Disturbed ground must be reclaimed and restored with lesser prairie-chicken habitat <br /> considerations, including but not limited to, native seed mixes developed through <br /> consultation with CPW and NRCS. <br /> Burrowing owls are listed as State Threatened and nest in active or inactive prairie dog <br /> burrows. The proposed project boundary does contain prairie dog burrows near the southwest <br /> corner of the cropland field. This suggests burrowing owls may be present. If development will <br /> occur in the area containing the prairie dog colony, CPW recommends the adherence to CPW's <br />