2024-01-31_REVISION - M1977344 (26)

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Tech Memo Subject 5 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 2.5.2 Colorado’s Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX) Colorado's Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX) is a tool that queries multiple conservation datasets and in- cludes a synthesis of Colorado Natural Heritage Program and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) data for sensitive animal and plant species and natural communities. Three reports were requested for the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary (Attachment A). One report is for the Red Creek Quarry parcel, where the mining will take place, and the others are for the MTAC area and Hwy 96 access road. CODEX lists species that have a regulatory status that have been confirmed as documented to occur within one mile of a project area as well as potential species based on models, range maps and unconfirmed rec- ords. CODEX Project Review Reports were produced on July 20, 2023 and the following species were identi- fied by CODEX as documented within a mile of the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary: • Bald Eagle – Special Concern • Southern redbelly dace – State endangered Species with a status of State endangered, threatened or a species of special concern identified as poten- tially occurring within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary by CODEX include: • Black-footed ferret – State endangered • Burrowing owl - State threatened • Mountain plover – Special concern • Black-tailed prairie dog - special concern • Colorado checkered whiptail – special concern Section 3: Field Survey Methodology 3.1 Wildlife Survey Area Wildlife surveys were conducted alongside vegetation surveys. All animals and evidence of such was rec- orded during vegetation transects as well as during travel from location to location within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary. Bird songs were identified using the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s eBird mobile application using Sound ID. Whenever wildlife were sighted the vehicle was stopped and binoculars were used to confirm identification. Photographic evidence was also taken if possible (Attachment B). Section 4: Field Survey Results 4.1 Wildlife Species Observed Table 1 lists all the species observed, heard and identified during field observations August 8-10, 2023.