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Wattenberg Lakes Amendment, Exhibit HâWildlife May 2023
<br /> EXHIBIT H - WILDLIFE
<br /> 1.0 GENERAL
<br /> The Information Planning and Consultation [IPaC] (USFWS, 2023) database was queried for federally-listed
<br /> threatened and endangered species with the potential to occur in the vicinity of the site (attached to this exhibit).
<br /> Based on the IPaC resource list, there are no critical habitats at this location although the threatened and
<br /> endangered species included in the list may be potentially affected by activities at this site. There are no known
<br /> threatened/endangered species within the proposed project boundary.
<br /> Prior to mining under the 2004 DRMS Permit, the Wattenberg Lakes site was a working ranch used primarily for
<br /> livestock grazing with some areas cultivated for tree production and other crops. The site contained a mixture of
<br /> open water, riparian, wetland, and upland habitats consisting of native vegetation. Cattail marsh, wet meadow, and
<br /> stands of willow and mature cottonwoods were all found on the site. As a result of mining, with reclamation not
<br /> completed,there are fewer areas of native vegetation and more areas of disturbed lands. However, reclamation will
<br /> involve establishing a mixture of open water, riparian, wetland, and upland habitats consisting of native vegetation.
<br /> Wildlife known to be common or abundant in Weld County, and which might occur within or near the proposed
<br /> project site include a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, and
<br /> snakes would all be expected to inhabit areas similar to those found within or near the proposed site, with more
<br /> abundance in areas not disturbed by mining and in previously disturbed areas as they are reclaimed. Common
<br /> species could include the bullfrog, plains spadefoot toad, tiger salamander, plains garter snake, and fence lizard.
<br /> Many birds may use habitats similar to those found at the proposed Wattenberg Lakes site, either year-round,
<br /> seasonally for nesting, or temporary for roosting during migration. Some of the common or abundant species could
<br /> include robins, starlings, grackles, magpies, blackbirds, cowbirds, orioles, finches. sparrows, swallows, wrens,
<br /> yellowthroats, larks, kingbirds, and doves. In 2004, prior to mining burrowing owls were observed on portions of the
<br /> site during the summer months. Because of the abundant wetland and open water habitat within and near the
<br /> proposed project site, shore birds and waterfowl such as killdeer, herons, gulls, pelicans, ducks, Canadian geese,
<br /> and grebes might also be present.
<br /> It could be expected that most mammals common or abundant in Weld County would be found near or within the
<br /> Wattenberg Lakes site. Smaller mammals that might be found at the site might include bats, mice, voles, gophers,
<br /> cottontail rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, raccoons, and skunks. Although several species of mice may occur within
<br /> the site, critical habitat for the endangered Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse is not present(USFSW, 2023). Some
<br /> of the larger mammals could include both mule and white-tailed deer, coyote, and fox.
<br /> Mining and reclamation operations may disturb some of the wildlife within the permit boundary and adjacent area.
<br /> However, mining activities will be confined to specific areas, with reclamation shortly after mining. Other earthwork
<br /> prior to reclamation be of short duration to limit the total disturbed acreage at any one time. This will help limit the
<br /> disturbance to wildlife in the area.
<br /> 2.0 REFERENCES
<br /> USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 2023. Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) accessed on
<br /> April 20, 2023 at https:Hecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/index.
<br /> OTETRA TECH P a g e 1 i 1
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