2023-10-30_PERMIT FILE - P2023018

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of these species have suitable nesting habitat present within the project area, however Golden eagles could potentially forage over the project area and Pinyon Jays could forage in the small amount of Juniper woodlands within the project area. 4.4 CPW Endangered, Threatened, and Species of Special Concern The list of Colorado Parks and Wildlife endangered, threatened and species of special concern is listed in Table Di of Appendix D. Of all the species present, only the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides macrotis), the Townsend's big-eared bat,which are both state special concern species, could potentially occur within the project area. However, no distinctive mounding of the pocket gopher was observed and bat roosting sites appearto be limited. 4.5 Colorado Natural Heritage Program PCAs A portion of the project area is included within the CNHP's Disappointment Valley Northwest Potential Conservation Area(PCA)as well as the Dolores Canyon —Slick Rock to Bedrock PCA(Lyon and Hanson 2oo6), See Figure 4.PCAs highlight areas in the state contributing to Colorado's biological diversity.Their boundaries encompass rare species and natural plant communities. PCA boundaries are meant to be used for conservation planning purposes and have no legal status. The proposed boundary does not automatically recommend exclusion of all activities. Rather, the boundaries designate ecologically sensitive areas in which land managers may wish to consider how specific activities or land use changes within or nearthe PCA may affect the biological resources on which the PCA is based. The Disappoint Valley PCA supports a good (B-ranked) and a fair(C-ranked) occurrence of a globally imperiled (G2/S2) plant, Gypsum Valley cateye (Cryptantha revealii) and an excellent (A-ranked) occurrence of a globally imperiled (G2G3/S2S3) plant, Naturita milkvetch(Astragalus naturitensis). The northern part of the valley floor has clay soils derived from Mancos shale. Small knolls of light gray gypsum soils of the Paradox member of the Hermosa Formation are scattered throughout the valley and provide habitat for one of the BLM Sensitive plant species, the Gypsum valley cateye (Lyon and Hanson 20o6). The Dolores Canyon — Slick Rock to Bedrock PCA supports two excellent (A-ranked) occurrences of a globally imperiled (G1G2/Si) New Mexico privet riparian shrub community(Forestiera pubescens)along the Dolores River, a good (B-ranked) occurrence of the Naturita milkvetch plant, Hanging garden communities(Aquilegia micrantha-Mimulus eastwoodiae),which are imperiled to vulnerable on a global scale(G2G3/S2S3). In addition, Paradox breadroot(Pediomelum aromaticum)was located near Bedrock in 1981. Paradox stickleaf (Mentzelia paradoxensis) is a globally imperiled plant species (Gz/Sz) that is historically known from this area(H-ranked occurrence). 5.0 Survey Methods 5.1 Wildlife Surveys A habitat characterization survey was conducted by Mr. Jerry Powell, a certified wildlife biologist with Wildlife Specialties LLC in June 2023.The purpose of the survey was to look for appropriate habitat that may support migratory bird species of wildlife species of conservation concern, federally listed, BLM Sensitive, or CPW listed wildlife species. The pedestrian surveys were intuitively controlled so that the habitat most likely to support species of concern were targeted.