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Exhibit H-2 <br /> 4.3 Raptors& Mi2ratory Birds <br /> Impact: The construction and operation of the gravel mine has the potential to affect raptor and migratory <br /> bird breeding,nesting,and foraging/hunting habitat by the direct loss of habitat. A total of 83.4 acres of <br /> desert shrubland and grassland habitat would be disturbed over the life of the gravel mine;however, a <br /> maximum of 19 acres would be disturbed at any one time. The remaining acres would be left undisturbed <br /> or will be reclaimed with an appropriate seed mix. There are no suitable rock outcrops,cliffs,or <br /> woodland habitat to support most nesting raptor species that would be disturbed by the proposed project. <br /> The only raptor species with potential to nest within the parcel boundaries would be Burrowing Owl. <br /> Burrowing Owls may use white-tailed prairie dog burrows(which are present on the property)to nest in. <br /> Other raptors may hunt and forage within the parcel boundaries and there would be a negligible loss of <br /> hunting/foraging habitat due to the abundance of suitable habitat present in the surrounding area at a <br /> landscape scale. The habitat within the parcel boundaries for migratory birds is marginal and comprised <br /> primarily of weedy annual grass species. There is abundant and higher quality nesting and foraging <br /> habitat for migratory birds on adjacent lands surrounding the property;therefore, impacts to migratory <br /> birds would be negligible. <br /> Noise and activity generated by the gravel mining operations and presence of human activity may <br /> discourage raptors and migratory birds from utilizing the nesting habitat immediately adjacent to the <br /> project site. There is a known Bald Eagle nest site within'/z mile of the proposed gravel mine area(Figure <br /> 3). Construction activities and gravel mining operations have the potential to cause nest avoidance and <br /> abandonment of the eagle nest if activities occur during sensitive times of the year.The nesting season for <br /> Bald Eagles typically begins in early December and continues through July. Other migratory birds and <br /> raptors that are nesting in the project vicinity would likely become habituated to the activities or choose <br /> alternate nest and forage/hunting locations further from the activity.Due to the abundance of available <br /> habitat in the surrounding area,impacts to migratory birds(including raptors)is expected to be minor. <br /> Mitigation: Due to the proximity of the Bald Eagle nest to the proposed gravel mining operations,any <br /> activity planned to occur within'Amile,as recommended by CPW, should occur outside the active <br /> nesting season from December I"through July 315t <br /> Impacts to migratory bird species can be minimized if vegetation removal activities take place outside the <br /> nesting season.Nesting season is generally considered to occur from April 1 to July 31 in this area. May 1 <br /> to July 15 is the peak period when most incubation and brood rearing takes place. If vegetation clearing <br /> can occur prior to May 1,most affected birds will relocate to alternate nesting sites.After late July,most <br /> fledging has occurred and vegetation clearing impacts would be minimized. <br /> 4.4 Mule Deer <br /> Impact: Mule deer use in the project area could be impacted by wintertime operations at the site. <br /> Increased human activity in the project area and noise from the operation of the gravel mine may cause <br /> mule deer using the severe winter range and winter concentration area south of the project area to select <br /> suitable habitat further away to carry out their daily activities. However,there are currently ongoing <br /> gravel mining operations occurring in the project vicinity and daily ongoing activities associated with the <br /> Mesa County Landfill. Mule deer in the project vicinity have likely become somewhat habituated to this <br /> type of activity, and the proposed gravel mine would slightly increase activities already occurring at a <br /> landscape scale;therefore,it is anticipated that impacts to mule deer from the proposed project would <br /> minimal.No direct impacts to mule deer severe winter range or winter concentration areas would occur as <br /> a result of this project.The project would not interfere with any migration routes or cause loss of high- <br /> quality forage habitat.The project area is primarily composed of weedy annual grass species.The gravel <br /> mine site would be fenced with wire fencing that would not prohibit animals from crossing the parcel. <br /> WestWater Engineering Page 8 of 14 September 2023 <br />