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The current land use of the property for the proposed Mattics Pit is majority rangeland with a <br /> small percentage of dryland farm ground. The rangeland vegetation is dominated by native <br /> shortgrass prairie species with a small shrub component comprised mostly of sand sage <br /> (Artemisia filifolia Torr.). The dry North Fork of the Smoky Hill River runs from the north and <br /> along the east boundary of the proposed property. Eureka Creek is located on the west <br /> boundary of the proposed property. Rangeland or Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) <br /> surrounds the remainder of the proposed property. Dryland farm ground is also found nearby. <br /> The parcel of the proposed project provides habitat for multiple wildlife species throughout <br /> the year. The proposed project falls within the overall range and concentration area for mule <br /> deer, overall range and concentration area for whitetail deer, overall range and <br /> concentration area pronghorn, overall range for swift fox, the current range for greater <br /> prairie-chicken, and the estimated occupied range and CHAT 2 (Connectivity Zone) for lesser <br /> prairie-chicken. In addition, the proposed project falls within habitat of other species of <br /> wildlife including burrowing owls, other raptors, coyotes, songbirds, bats, and other small <br /> mammals. <br /> The State of Colorado lists the lesser prairie-chicken as a State Threatened Species under <br /> state law. Colorado is a partner in the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies <br /> (WAFWA) Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan and follows the <br /> recommendations in that plan when commenting on development in lesser prairie-chicken <br /> habitat. At the core of these recommendations are conservation efforts that emphasize <br /> habitat quality, avoid development in focal areas, and avoid impacts to leks. Recently, the <br /> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended the lesser prairie-chicken be listed as a federal <br /> threatened species for protection under the ESA. With the proposed listing, consultation with <br /> the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be required. <br /> The parcel for the proposed project falls within the CHAT 2 or Connectivity Zone for lesser <br /> prairie-chicken. Habitat designated as CHAT 2 priority area (Connectivity Zone) means the <br /> parcel is important for the movement of lesser prairie-chickens between CHAT 1 priority <br /> areas (Focal Areas). Lek surveys in the area have not shown any active leks on the proposed <br /> property for the Mattics Pit; however, the proposed property for the Mattics Pit falls between <br /> two important focal areas for lesser prairie-chickens. The first focal area is located <br /> approximately 3-mites to the east and the second is located approximately 10.5-miles to the <br /> northwest of the proposed project. The large size (1,313-acres) of the proposed Mattics Pit <br /> has the potential to disrupt movements of less prairie-chickens between focal areas. With the <br /> proposed project falling within the connectivity zone of lesser prairie-chickens, CPW <br /> recommends the following: <br />