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ERC Fairmeadows Site <br /> Threatened-Endangered Species and General Wildlife Screening <br /> *Status key: <br /> ST—State listed as threatened <br /> SE—State listed as endangered <br /> • The survey area does not contain the specific habitat characteristics necessary to support the species <br /> listed above. These species and/or critical habitat is not present within the survey area. Therefore, <br /> any future land use changes will have no effect on the species, their habitats, or proposed or <br /> designated critical habitat. <br /> Species Potentially within Range <br /> The following state listed threatened and endangered species are identified to occur or historically occur <br /> within Weld County. The survey area is located within the potential known range for these species. <br /> Further analysis was conducted to determine if the species or habitat has the potential to exist on the <br /> survey area considering site-specific conditions and characteristics. A brief explanation is provided as to <br /> the species life cycle, habitat requirements and potential occurrence within the survey area. <br /> Black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes SE <br /> *Status key: <br /> ST—State listed as threatened <br /> SE—State listed as endangered <br /> BLACK-FOOTED FERRET(MUSTELA NIGRIPES) <br /> The black-footed ferret (BFF) (Mustela nigripes) is a medium-sized mustelid (a member of the weasel <br /> family). The BFF is the only ferret species native to the Americas. Its historical range spanned much of <br /> western North America's intermountain and prairie grasslands, extending from Canada to Mexico. <br /> Historically, BFF habitat coincided with habitats of black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus), Gunnison's <br /> prairie dog(C.gunnisoni),and white-tailed prairie dog(C. leucurus). Prairie dogs make up more than 90% <br /> of the BFF's diet. BFF's are limited to open habitat, the same habitat used by prairie dogs: grasslands, <br /> steppe,and shrub steppe. It depends largely on prairie dogs:ferrets prey on prairie dogs and utilize their <br /> burrows for shelter and denning (Hillman and Clark, 1980). It has been estimated that about 40-60 <br /> hectares of prairie dog colony are needed to support one ferret (Belant and Biggins 2008). BFF's once <br /> numbered in the tens of thousands, but due to a combination of human-induced threats they were <br /> believed to be extinct twice in the 20th century. As of 2015, BFFs have been reintroduced in the wild at <br /> 24 sites across 8 states,Canada,and Mexico. <br /> • No BFF individuals were observed on or surrounding the survey area.The survey area is located within <br /> the overall range of the black-tailed prairie dog; however, no colonies were observed within the <br /> survey area. Further, the survey area occurs within the block clearance zone for black-footed ferret <br /> surveys (USFWS 2009). Any future land use changes within the survey area should have no effect on <br /> the continued existence or potential habitat of this species. <br /> 8.0 SUMMARY <br /> ERC has conducted this screening for federal and state listed threatened and endangered species and <br /> general wildlife for the approximately 86.0-acre survey area. The following summarizes key items <br /> identified as part of this report: <br /> 1. Two primary land use class/vegetation cover type exists within the survey area. Habitat within the <br /> survey area is characterized as Ruderal Crested Wheatgrass Grassland and Cropland Fallow Field. <br /> Historic land use for agricultural practices has led to degradation of the native vegetation community. <br /> 14 <br />