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viewing) and residential. The approved postmining land uses for the PSCM are rangeland, wildlife <br /> habitat, and recreational use. <br /> Wildlife <br /> The PSCM permit area and adjacent area provide habitat for the following types of wildlife: big game, <br /> small mammals, upland game birds, raptors,breeding birds (song birds), amphibians, reptiles, and fish. <br /> Fish habitat is in the Yampa River. The following vegetation communities provide habitat for birds and <br /> mammals: grasslands, sagebrush shrub lands, mountain brush, and isolated pockets of aspen and <br /> coniferous forest. Potential raptor nesting habitat is provided by cliffs and rock outcrops and scattered <br /> box elder and cottonwood trees. Habitat for all types of wildlife is provided in mesic bottomlands and <br /> riparian areas that occur along larger drainages, and by wetland vegetation that occurs around ponds and <br /> impoundments. <br /> The PSCM permit area adjoins a reclaimed mine, the Yoast Mine (C1994082) and will incorporate a <br /> portion of the reclaimed Seneca II Mine (C 1982057). Annual wildlife monitoring was conducted for the <br /> two reclaimed mines from 1994 to 2007. Wildlife baseline studies were conducted for PSCM in 2008. <br /> Details of the wildlife studies are in Exhibit 2.04.11 E1 of the permit application. Wildlife observed <br /> during the monitoring and baseline studies included big game, upland game birds, raptors,breeding <br /> birds (song birds), and small mammals. The 2008 baseline survey found 62 bird species, 11 mammal <br /> species, and one amphibian species (boreal chorus frog). Bird species diversity was highest in the <br /> mountain brush habitat (22 species) and grassland habitat (21 species). The most abundant bird species <br /> was the cliff swallow which tended to occur in large flocks and nesting colonies. <br /> Tables 2.04.11-T6, permit section 2.04.11, and section 2.05.6 have been updated to reflect changes to <br /> species of concern. Three special bird species are known to occur in the permit area; bald eagle, <br /> Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and greater sandhill crane. The bald eagle is listed as state threatened. <br /> Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is a state species of special concern, and known to use the permit area. <br /> The permit area encompasses nine lek sites, none of which are located in the PSCM surface disturbance <br /> area. Short-term habitat loss could occur, but limited to areas of surface facilities. Appropriate <br /> reclamation would likely restore this habitat, and the species is known to use reclaimed mining areas. <br /> The greater sandhill crane is a state species of special concern and is known to nest in the permit area. <br /> Nest sites were not located near surface disturbance areas and loss of habitat is not expected. <br /> The following special status species have potential to occur in the permit area based on habitat <br /> requirements but do not have known occurrences: midget faded rattlesnake, northern leopard frog, <br /> American peregrine falcon, ferruginous hawk, greater sage grouse, white-faced ibis, and northern pocket <br /> gopher. Further habitat details are listed in Table 2.04.11-T6. <br /> No federal threatened or endangered species were documented during the 2008 baseline surveys. The <br /> USFWS has federally listed the following species as occurring within Routt County: the Canadian lynx, <br /> Op COl0 <br /> e <br /> 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.3567 I `�' O <br /> �`1876� <br />