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bluestem, bromegrass, and wheatgrass. Individuals of each of the aforementioned species will be <br /> removed during vegetation clearing but individuals outside of the approved disturbance area will <br /> not be removed or disturbed during the life of the project. Native vegetation species will be <br /> reseeded within the location disturbance during concurrent and final reclamation. The Proposed <br /> Action will have negligible impacts to existing vegetation communities. <br /> BLM Special Status Species (Animal) <br /> The proposed project area is already heavily disturbed and there is low likelihood of resident bird <br /> species or BLM Sensitive Species occurring within the proposed project area during pit <br /> expansion/excavation actions. No habitat capable of supporting a Brewer's sparrow nest occurs <br /> within the project expansion area, which is less than 5 acres. Potential impacts to this species <br /> outside of the project area during expansion/excavation actions would be negligeable,considering <br /> existing baseline levels of disturbance. Additionally, the planned concurrent reclamation process <br /> will prevent a net loss in available habitat. The action would not have a measurable effect on these <br /> species or their habitats.Design features have been added to the proposed action to reduce potential <br /> impacts. <br /> Migratory Birds <br /> Construction activities, primarily vegetation clearing, will be conducted outside of peak nesting <br /> season which occurs May 15 through July 15. If the vegetation clearing efforts need to be <br /> completed during this timeframe, further consultation with the BLM TRFO Wildlife Biologist <br /> would occur. Impacts to migratory birds once the initial vegetation clearing has occurred are likely <br /> low as adult birds will be able to fly away from equipment or machinery and vegetation will only <br /> be removed early on in construction. Design features have been added to the proposed action to <br /> reduce potential impacts. <br /> Wildlife(Terrestrial) <br /> The Proposed Action is located within an area mapped by Colorado Parks and Wildlife(CPW) as <br /> a Critical Winter Concentration Area for Rocky Mountain elk(Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and mule <br /> deer(Odocoileus hemionus).A design feature was added by the proponent to the proposed action <br /> to restrict operations during the winter closure periods for elk and mule deer in the area(December <br /> 1 through April 30). <br /> Water Resources/Quality(drinking/surface/ground). <br /> The proposed gravel pit expansion area is located within HUC-14 Upper Colorado Region Dolores <br /> Subregion. Disappointment Creek, an intermittent stream, is located approximately 1.5 miles <br /> downstream from the proposed project area. A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) <br /> would be prepared prior to mining in compliance with Section 402 of the Clean Water Act and <br /> would describe measures to minimize erosion and prevent soils from leaving each site during <br /> mining activities.The measures outlined in the SWPPP would stabilize disturbed areas during and <br /> after mining. Design features have been added to the proposed action to reduce potential impacts. <br /> Hazardous Materials <br /> No hazardous material, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 9601 (which includes materials regulated under <br /> CERCLA,RCRA and the Atomic Energy Act,but does not include petroleum or natural gas),will <br /> be used,produced,transported, or stored during project implementation. If the project involves oil <br /> Disappointment Valley Gravel Pit Expansion EA DOI-BLM-CO-S010-2024-0021-EA <br /> Tres Rios Field Office <br /> 12 <br />