2022-04-04_PERMIT FILE - M2022013 (33)

Home Browse Search

Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment Two Rivers Parcels-Varra Companies Weld County, Colorado early fall through spring,this suitable habitat consists of multistem vegetation (e.g., shrubs) under which the Preble's will burrow for hibernation (Colorado Parks and Wildlife 2015). Based on absence of any suitable habitat in the disturbance area, implementation of the voluntary conservation measures and BMPs, and the negative survey results of the 2017 field survey and previous years completed in the vicinity of the study area (Greystone, LLC 1997, 2001; Colorado Urban Wildlife 1997), ERO concludes that Preble's are not present in the proposed project area. Although grasses and shrubs are present along the riparian corridor included in the project area,these corridors lack the adjacent suitable upland habitat in many places, as well as the lack of suitable soil substrate and vegetation along the sandy shorelines found in sections of the project area. With the presence of more suitable habitat upstream and the level of disturbance already present in the project area, ERO concludes that no further surveys are needed. In addition, based on guidance from DOI (2018), even if habitat were present, it is ERO's professional opinion that the project would not result in "take" of a listed species, and application for an ITP under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA is not appropriate for the project. Recommendations Although not required by regulation, in order to best avoid potential impacts on small mammal habitat, including potential Preble's habitat, in the project area, ERO recommends compliance with the BMPs and voluntary conservation measure listed above and implementing the following avoidance measures: • Avoid all riparian habitat consisting of shrubs, grasses, and forbs to maintain current vegetation communities and allow for habitat connectivity to habitat upstream and downstream. • Restrict planned disturbances to existing areas of agricultural fields and roads. • Provide 100-foot buffers between planned disturbance and the bankfull river/riparian corridor. • Limit traffic to existing roads and bridges. • Take appropriate measure to control noise and dust levels during construction activities. References Baker, Adam M., and Daniel A. Potter. 2020. "Invasive Paper Wasp Turns Urban Pollinator Gardens into Ecological Traps for Monarch Butterfly Larvae."Scientific Reports 10 (9553). https://www.nature.com/articles/s4l598-020-66621-6#citeas. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2015. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse: Assessing Habitat Quality for Priority Wildlife Species in Colorado Wetlands. https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/LandWater/WetlandsProgram/PrioritySpecies/Factsheet-and- Habitat-Scorecard_PreblesMeadowJumpingMouse.pdf. Colorado Urban Wildlife. 2001. Trapping survey result submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along the Clear Creek Trail. Reference provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2022). ERO Project#21-266 11 ERO Resources Corporation