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EXHIBIT H — Wildlife Information
<br /> 1. General:
<br /> Agricultural land,coniferous forests,drainages, wetlands, and brush land combine to provide a high diversity of wildlife
<br /> habitat in the area in which the operation is located. There is no critical habitat at this location which is identified for
<br /> threatened and endangered species.6 All wildlife and wetland resource information is being reviewed with both the US
<br /> Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.The project will not affect any Federally-listed or state-listed
<br /> threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat that are protected by the Endangered Species Act or similar
<br /> legislation.
<br /> 2. Habitat:
<br /> The parcel is dominated by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) with a Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) understory.
<br /> Wildlife habitat on the parcel is predominately mature ponderosa pine, mountain shrublands, scattered small openings
<br /> in the forested area, and small grassland meadows at the south and eastern edges of the parcel. Gambel oak is the
<br /> dominant shrub species in the pine forest and along the forest edge. There are no permanent water bodies or other
<br /> unique habitat features such as caves, cliffs, or rock outcrops. Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak habitat is nearly
<br /> surrounded by large grassland meadows on the north, east, and western portions. The southern portion does contain
<br /> ponderosa pine habitat that extends south along a narrow ridge onto adjacent land south of Oak Brush Hill. Habitat
<br /> effectiveness is less for most wildlife species when compared to other larger parcels, especially public lands, due to
<br /> existing human disturbance, and lack of connectivity with other suitable habitats.The fragmented nature of the habitat
<br /> likely affects dispersal and occupancy for some wildlife species in the area; however, habitat continues to remain
<br /> functional and utilized by species. The mining will increase this human impact and further fragment the habitat, but
<br /> many species have shown significant adaptability to such changes in habitat.
<br /> 3. Wildlife species common in area:
<br /> The area's wildlife habitat corresponds to the ecosystems and plant communities present, which are part of the
<br /> Sedimentary Mid-Elevation Forests ecoregion. The community which makes up most of the site is the Lower Rocky
<br /> Mountain (Lower Montane) Pine Forest. (See Exhibit J for more information.)The plant community provides various
<br /> wildlife needs(e.g.,thermal and escape cover,forage,travel routes,etc.).
<br /> Game species found in the area include mule deer, elk, Merriam's turkey, cottontail rabbit, black bear, and
<br /> mountain lion.
<br /> Non-game species are widely represented in the area with a variety of birds, small mammals,
<br /> reptiles, and amphibians adding diversity to the wildlife in the area.
<br /> The site is on the western edge of a Colorado DOW-designated elk migration route, and on the
<br /> northwestern fringe of a DOW-designated elk winter concentration area (range for elk for severe
<br /> winters). It is also on the north-northwestern edge of a DOW-designated mule deer winter
<br /> concentration area.
<br /> Other Fish and Wildlife Resources-Other Fish Species No open waters for fish on site.
<br /> Other Wildlife Species
<br /> Because of nearby lakes, various waterfowl and shorebirds inhabit or frequent the area, including several
<br /> species of ducks, Canada geese, great blue heron, sora rail, red-winged blackbird, yellow-headed blackbird,
<br /> and marsh wren. The various raptors found in association with the area include Bald eagle, Red-tailed hawk,
<br /> Cooper's hawk,sharp-shinned hawk, northern harrier(marsh hawk), peregrine(prairie)falcon, rough-legged
<br /> hawk, ferruginous hawk, and great horned owl, and others. Amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the valley
<br /> include chorus frog, leopard frog, woodhouse toad, spadefoot toad, tiger salamander, wandering garter
<br /> snake, black(garter)snake,Western green snake, Western bull snake,(Western kingsnake),Western prairie
<br /> rattlesnake, (fence lizard), sagebrush lizard, and mountain short-horned lizard. While more common lower
<br /> down the San Juan River valley, these may be found in this vicinity.
<br /> 6 htt .//crithab.fws. ov/visited 21AUG21
<br /> C&J Gravel Products, Inc. Page 40 of 93 20 OCT 2021
<br /> Application for Permit: Oakbrush Hill Gravel M-2021- C&J-DPR-V5-001
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