2023-01-10_PERMIT FILE - M2023001 (22)

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ERC Fairmeadows Site Threatened-Endangered Species and General Wildlife Screening 3.0 SCREENING METHODOLOGY ERC conducted a literature review as part of initial data collection for preparation of this report. ERC reviewed available literature sources including: CPW information and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federal Register. A field inspection was subsequently conducted on September 14, 2022, to identify and document the presence of natural vegetation communities, general wildlife use and potential for threatened and endangered species/habitat. Upon review of all available resources, including literature and field inspections, ERC provides the following determination for the survey area. 4.0 GENERAL WILDLIFE HABITAT (NON-REGULATED) Wildlife utilizes the general landscape in a multitude of ways and uses a variety of habitats as areas of permanent inhabitance,seasonal inhabitance,breeding grounds,migratory routes,for foraging purposes, or as temporary shelter. Potential wildlife habitat includes the entire survey area. Historic and current land use associated with agricultural practices have restricted and/or degraded the development of any significant natural vegetation communities within a majority the survey area, which limits the overall quality of potential wildlife habitat. Two habitat types were observed within the survey area and are characterized by the Ruderal Crested Wheatgrass Grassland and Cropland Fallow Field communities which comprises the agricultural land and area around the home sites. These vegetation types comprise all of the vegetative cover and is dominated by non-native or weedy species is not typically considered of high ecological value to wildlife; however, agricultural lands can have beneficial values to certain wildlife species.These areas at a minimum are considered"open space" providing limited foraging and hunting grounds, refuge and limited areas for nesting (Kingery 1998). Such lands often serve as a buffer between natural areas, providing food, cover, nesting and open-space habitat which allow movement and exchange of plant and animal populations The pastureland which is present across the survey area has largely replaced the native shortgrass prairie habitat which would have been present in this region. Herbaceous non-native species and ruderal native species which permeate the vegetation community generally do not provide quality habitat for most wildlife. In general, although agriculture practices have altered the structure,function, community composition, and habitat value of land within a majority of the survey area, some areas do provide a variety of wildlife habitat values in an otherwise agricultural landscape.Within the survey area,significant limitations for wildlife use exist due to land use activities such as regular mowing,habitat fragmentation from fences,overgrazing,and noise disturbances from roadways and agricultural practices within the survey area and in areas adjacent to the survey area. Some other local wildlife species that may use this habitat within the survey area include coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), rabbit (Lepus sp.), cottontail (Sylvilogus sp.), black tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), barn owl (Tyto alba), hawks (euteo sp.), and garter snake (Thamnophis sp.). These types of species may utilize the survey area; however, have not specifically been identified within the survey area. • Generally, there are features within the survey area and the surrounding area that provide general habitat for local songbirds, raptors, and small to mid-size mammals; however,the habitat within the survey area is characterized as Ruderal Crested Wheatgrass Grassland and Cropland Fallow Field, which are degraded from a wildlife perspective by historic and current land use practices. 8