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

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ERC Fairmeadows Site Threatened-Endangered Species and General Wildlife Screening PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE (ZAPUS HUDSONIUS PREBLEI) On May 13, 1998 the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule to list the Preble's meadow jumping mouse(PMJM)as a federally threatened species under the ESA. PMJM range extends from southwestern Wyoming through eastern Colorado generally below 7,600 feet. Armstrong et al. (1997)described typical PMJM habitats as "well-developed plains riparian vegetation with relatively undisturbed grassland and a water source in close proximity." Also noted was a preference for "dense herbaceous vegetation consisting of a variety of grasses,forbs and thick shrubs" (USFWS 1999).This species is known to regularly travel into adjacent uplands to feed and hibernate. The PMJM hibernates in an underground burrow from September to May. PMJM bears two to three litters per year, averaging five young per litter, in a grass- lined nest. In general, PMJM surveys are recommended for areas with suitable habitat in Weld County below 7,600 feet and within 300 feet of vegetated irrigation canals,ditches,and wetlands.Areas that are highly disturbed or modified (including landscaped lots and paved areas)or wetland areas dominated by cattails are excluded from this recommendation. • PMJM is known to occur in riparian habitat within Weld County (ERO Resources 2006). The survey area and immediate vicinity is not designated as Critical Mouse Habitat by the USFWS (CPW 2014). The USFWS Mouse Block Clearance Map for the Denver Metro Area(ERO 2010)which identifies areas exempt from further review for PMJM habitat,shows the survey area does not occur within the Block Clearance Zone. • Vegetation communities in the survey area are not typical habitat for the PMJM consisting primarily of herbaceous cover and lack well-developed shrub and tree cover. Due to the absence of suitable riparian habitat, it is unlikely that the PMJM exists within the survey.Any future land use changes on the survey area would result in No Take of this species or potential habitat of this species. LITE LADIES'-TRESSES (SPIRANTHES DILUVIALIS) The Ute ladies'-tresses (ULT) is listed as federally threatened under the ESA. The ULT occurs in seasonally moist soils and wet meadows near springs, lakes, or perennial streams and their associated floodplains below 6,500 feet in elevation in certain areas of Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. Typical sites include early successional riparian habitats such as point bars, sand bars, and low lying gravelly, sandy, or cobbly edges. They seem to require "permanent subirrigation", conditions where the water table is close to the surface, but they are not tolerant of permanent standing water. Typical habitat is open and sparsely vegetated, populations decline if trees and shrubs invade the habitat. They do not compete well with aggressive species such as reed canary grass or monocultures of cattails. • There are known population occurrences of ULT in Weld County. A total of 21 historic and extant populations have been recorded in Colorado in 6 watersheds, none of which have occurred in the Outlet Cache la Poudre River Watershed.The USFWS ULT Block Clearance Zone for the Denver Metro Area (USFWS 2008) which identifies areas exempt from further review for ULT habitat, shows the survey area does not occur within the Block Clearance Zone. • The upland agricultural land within the survey area are not typical habitat conducive to the Ute ladies'- tresses. No Ute ladies'-tresses or suitable habitat was identified within the survey area. Any future land use changes on the survey area would result in No Take of this species or potential habitat of this species. 12