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Dowe Flats Quarry Site Description and Future Mining Impact Analysis <br /> virginianus) are occasionally observed on the Dowe Flats property, but more often in the riparian <br /> corridor associated with St. Vrain Creek. <br /> 3.1.3 Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Concern <br /> Among the 57 species identified in the CPW database as having ranges that include the Dowe <br /> Flats permit area are several listed in the US Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) <br /> Environmental Conservation Online System (USFWS 2021). However,there is no evidence to <br /> suggest that any of these species nor any other state or federal threatened, endangered, or <br /> candidate species would be adversely affected by the activities proposed in the permit <br /> amendment application. <br /> The Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) is a federally threatened species <br /> known to occur in the St. Vrain Creek riparian corridor. Populations and habitat of this species <br /> are monitored by Boulder County and the activities included in the permit amendment <br /> application are far removed from their critical habitat. <br /> The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia ssp. hypugaea) is considered a species of <br /> concern by the USFWS. Burrowing owl surveys were completed per the Dowe Flats <br /> Management and Monitoring Plans that were submitted after the original Special Use Permit <br /> approval in 1994. No burrowing owls were found during those surveys. Mining has been <br /> continuous since those surveys were completed, so there would be no anticipated new impacts to <br /> this species as a result of the activities proposed in the permit amendment application. If future <br /> reclamation activities involve disturbances during the burrowing owl nesting season to prairie <br /> dog communities that have developed in the previously reclaimed areas,then burrowing owl <br /> surveys may be required at that time. <br /> No bat species in the range of Dowe Flats permit area are federal or state listed; however, the <br /> USFWS is currently conducting a discretionary status review of the little brown bat(Myotis <br /> lucifugus) and tri-colored bat(Perimyotis subflavus; USFWS 2020). The USFWS expected to <br /> release the findings of the status review in the spring of 2021 and planned to publish the <br /> regulatory guidance pertaining to the review in the fall of 2022 (USFWS 2020); but neither have <br /> been released. Additionally, long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), fringed myotis (Myotis <br /> thysanodes), and long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis)are considered species of concern by the <br /> USFWS (USFWS 2021) and the Townsend's big-eared bat is considered a state special concern <br /> species (CPW 2022). Continued mining activities within the permit area are not expected to have <br /> adverse effects on bat species. <br /> Seven bat species (big brown bat [Eptesicus fuscus], Townsend's big-eared bat, fringed myotis, <br /> little brown bat, long-eared myotis, long-legged myotis, and western small-footed bat [Myotis <br /> ciliolabrum]) in Boulder County are known to roost in rock crevices. In and environments such <br /> as Colorado,high summer temperatures combined with low relative humidity causes high rates <br /> of evaporative water loss,particularly in reproductive females and escalates throughout lactation <br /> (Adams and Hayes 2008). Studies have noted the preference of maternity roost sites to be in <br /> proximity to permanent water sources (Adams & Thibault 2006). Roosting near a drinking water <br /> source facilitates replenishing evaporated water before bats start evening foraging and open <br /> water provides important foraging habitat. Several of the crevice roosting species are also highly <br /> associated with forested habitat for foraging. <br /> Habitat Management, Inc. 9 May 2, 2022 <br />