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sential habitats for the sage-grouse.This strategy aims to mitigate habitat fragmentation and maintain natural <br /> vegetation patterns (Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Record of Decision). <br /> 2. Minimizing Operational Impacts <br /> To mitigate mining impacts on sage-grouse populations,the following strategies will be employed: <br /> • Noise and Activity Restrictions: To prevent disturbances during the breeding season, noise from operations <br /> like drilling will be minimized between March and June.This period is identified as critical for lekking and <br /> nesting. <br /> • Surface Disturbance Reduction: Dust control measures and reduced traffic near habitat areas will align <br /> with CPW guidelines to reduce indirect impacts on nearby sage-grouse habitats (Sage-Grouse Conservation <br /> Strategies, Colorado). <br /> • Pre-mowing of Mining Blocks: To mitigate habitat loss and disturbance,pre-mowing will be conducted in <br /> designated mining blocks scheduled for March through June. This ensures minimal disruption of the surface <br /> vegetation essential to sage-grouse survival and reduces the likelihood of disrupting nesting habitats during <br /> their sensitive breeding period. <br /> 3. Adaptive Management and Monitoring <br /> A monitoring program will be implemented to track the plan's success: <br /> • Monitoring Protocol: Regular field surveys,lek counts, and satellite data collection will be conducted by <br /> qualified field biologists, adhering to CPW's Monitoring Guidelines ("Greater Sage-Grouse Monitoring <br /> Protocols;' CPW). These biologists are specifically trained in sage-grouse habitat assessment and behavioral <br /> studies to ensure high accuracy and reliability of the data collected. <br /> • Adaptive Strategies: Management practices will be adjusted as needed based on real-time monitoring re- <br /> 5 <br /> HARDROCK/METAL MINING REGULAR(112)APPLICATION Au Pt Industries LLC I PO Box 1424-Edwards,Colorado 81632 1970 306 1 784 <br />