2023-07-19_REVISION - M2021052 (22)

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RECEIVED IJUL 19 tul,� Rife gavel Pit#1 July 2023 9i"i n0 of R nla ation, Mining and Saftey 9.0 Exhibit H - Wildlife Information 9.1 Significant Wildlife Resources on Affected Lands There are no significant wildlife resources on the Affected Lands, and minimal wildlife resources in the surrounding vicinity that area at risk of degradation as a result of the project. The site supports seasonal, low-level big game use (primarily mule deer), and the vegetation on the Affected Lands is a mosaic of saline scrub-shrub and pasturelands. These habitats are of low value to wildlife species of concern, and also occur in abundance in the immediate vicinity and larger region. The property does contain wet meadows and marsh areas that have significant value for wildlife, including waterfowl and passerines, amphibians, and insect populations. However, the wetland areas have been extensively characterized, carefully mapped, and avoided by careful design of the Affected Area boundaries. Specifically, an aquatic resources report and wetland delineation was submitted to the USACE, containing the results of a comprehensive delineation effort, along with a request for a Boundary Confirmation and verification letter. This Boundary Confirmation is provided in Attachment C, and confirms the accuracy of the wetland boundaries shown in this application. NO impact to wetlands that are jurisdictional under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act would occur; Scott's proposed development does not involve direct impact to jurisdictional wetlands, and is not a regulated activity under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. 9.1.1 CPW and USFWS Input Colorado Parks and Wildlife and USFWS provided input on the Rifle Pit#1 project as part of the Garfield County Land Use Permitting referral agency process. 9.2 Federally-Protected Species on Affected Lands 9.2.1 Endangered Species Act Assessment An assessment of federally-listed species with the potential to occur on the Affect Lands was conducted using the USFWS IPaC database In summary, there would be no effect to any federally-listed species. Figure 22, Exhibit H5 shows the extent of potential habitat occurrence for ESA species within the project area. Individual species are discussed below but in summary, there is no effective habitat for the species of concern in the vicinity, and/or no potential to affect nearby effective habitat. To assess compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), nine federally listed species and one Candidate species were evaluated for their occurrence on or adjacent to the parcel, per the USFWS Threatened and Endangered species list provided by the IPaC database (USFWS 2022, updated May 2023). Based on this analysis, the USFWS identified the gray wolf(Canis lupus), Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), bonytail chub (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub (Gila cypha), razorback sucker(Xyrauchen texanus), monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), silverspot butterfly (Speyeria nokomis nokomis), and Ute ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) as potentially occurring in the area. Gray Wolf- Endangered. In 2021, gray wolves were documented as reproducing, and thus as continuously occupying habitat in Colorado, and in 2022 the USFWS listed the gray wolf 55