2024-01-31_REVISION - M1977344 (26)

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Tech Memo Subject 3 DRAFT for review purposes only. Use of contents on this sheet is subject to the limitations specified at the beginning of thi s document. Red Creek Quarry_WildlifeReport 20230907 2.2 Climate The shortgrass prairie occurs in a semiarid climatic zone. It is the driest and warmest of the Great Plains grasslands, with cool winters and warm summers. Average precipitation is around 375 mm (15 in) ranging from 300 mm (12 in) in the north to 600 mm (24 in) in the south. Annual precipitation has a bimodal distri- bution occurring mostly before the winter and early spring and then during summer as monsoon thunder- storms. Summer precipitation events are mostly <10 cm with occasional larger events. High variation in amount and timing of annual precipitation impacts the relative cover of cool- and warm-season herbaceous species. Average daily temperature in July varies from 27°C in the southeast to 21°C in the northwest and along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Average daily temperature in January varies from 3°C in the south to -6°C in the northwest. 2.3 Land Use Most recently, the land within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary has been used for cattle graz- ing. Electric transmission along overhead utility lines are also present within the area. The area is bordered on the north by the current operations of the Holcim Bear Creek quarry. The Minnequa Canal, owned by the Rocky Mountain Steel Mills, also flows through the MTAC and across the northeast corner of the RCQ site. Access to the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary is limited by gates controlled by adjacent landown- ers, Holcim and the electric utility company. The closest public roads include County Road 112 to the east, State Route 96 to the south and State Route 50 to the north. 2.4 General Wildlife Habitat Types Wildlife occupy habitat for a variety of reasons, including shelter, food, water and for breeding purposes. Within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary there are four types of general habitats. These habi- tats are open prairie, riparian areas along Red Creek and its tributaries, hills and escarpments and the Min- nequa Canal. Each is described in more detail below. 2.4.1 Open dry shortgrass prairie Open shortgrass prairie habitats dominate the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary. These areas are dominated by grasses, forbs, scattered cacti and shrubs. The soil is typically dry and rocky. This habitat is utilized by invertebrates, small birds, lizards and small mammals, as well as larger grazing mammals and predators of these animals, including raptors, coyotes and snakes. 2.4.2 Riparian areas Riparian areas are where water drains and the soils can capture and retain moisture longer than on the open prairie. There may also be some contact with groundwater in these areas. The vegetation tends to be more dense and lush, the topography is less flat and there is evidence of water erosion. Vegetation in these areas also tends to be taller with shrubs and trees present and dominant in certain areas. With the in- creased physical complexity of the habitat, these areas are often more densely populated with wildlife. There are more places to shelter, increased forage opportunities, and breeding habitat. In addition to the animals found in the open prairie, there will also be animals that rely more heavily on aquatic habitats, such as am- phibians and fish, aquatic invertebrates, and animals that feed on aquatic organisms. 2.4.3 Escarpments/hills These areas are where there is steep topography and rocky cliffs and slopes. These habitats are useful for mammals such as bighorn sheep and can provide perches for predatory birds. On top of these areas there