2024-06-07_PERMIT FILE - M2024026 (36)

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Exhibit H Page 4 With specific consideration to seasonal use by wildlife,it is again noted that the majority of the Permit Area is grassland habitat with vegetation composed of short-grass or mixed-grass prairie species, scrub,and some sagebrush steppe.The Permit Area is dissected by oil and gas wells and associated infrastructure,including gravel access roads.Table H-1: Permit Area -Seasonal Use by Wildlife lists these game and non-game resources along with a brief description of the seasonal use of the Permit Area by each species. A field survey was conducted to assess the potential for special status species and their associated habitat to occur within the Permit Area(Exhibit H-1). During the field investigation, five active black-tailed prairie dog colonies were documented.Burrowing owls were observed within two of the prairie dog colonies within and adjacent to the Permit Area during the field survey.One active burrowing owl nest was identified within the Permit Area (Exhibit H-2). Additional raptor species observed during the survey included one red-tailed hawk perched within the Permit Area and multiple northern harrier individuals flying through the Permit Area. Of the ten federally listed or candidate species,the monarch butterfly and tricolored bat have the potential to occur within the Permit Area. In addition to the burrowing owl, suitable habitat was observed for the mountain plover,long-billed curlew,and the plains pocket gopher during the field survey.Two songbird species were seen throughout the Permit Area:horned larks and western meadowlarks.Incidental mammal observations included black-tailed prairie dogs,pronghorn, cottontail rabbits,and coyote(scat observed). Several prairie rattlesnakes and an ornate box turtle were observed while surveying and recording prairie dog colonies. In addition,the Habitat Assessment Report(Exhibit H-1) identified several sensitive bird,mammal,and insect species that have the potential to occur within the Permit Area. TABLE H-1: PERMIT AREA —SEASONAL USE BY WILDLIFE Species Seasonal Use of Permit Area Non-game Birds Burrowing Owl Hunting: March—October (Athene cunicularia) Breeding/Nesting: March—August Migration:May use as a stopover area during migration in spring and late fall/early winter Mountain Plover Hunting: March—September (Charadrius montanus) Breeding/Nesting: March—June Migration: May use as a stopover area during migration in spring and fall Raptors(eagles,falcons,hawks, Hunting: Year-round vultures,harriers,osprey) Breeding/Nesting: December—July Nesting: Suitable nesting trees are absent from the Permit Area but oil and gas infrastructure may provide suitable nest locations.Additionally,suitable habitat for ground-nesting species is found within the Permit Area. Perching: Fence posts and utility poles provide perching areas Songbirds Feeding: Year-round Breeding/Nesting: Suitable nesting habitat largely absent from the Permit Area,with the exception of the grove of Russian olive trees in the southeast comer of Section 12 Migration:May use as a stopover area during migration times Colorado Sand Company II,LLC Kersey Mine Construction Material Regular(112)Operation Reclamation Permit Application June 7,2024