2024-12-19_PERMIT FILE - M2024059 (6)

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Time and space constraints dictate that this analysis will focus on those wildlife species that are of significant ecological, economic, regulatory or political importance. Other species or ecological elements assuredly occur on the Property, but are omitted in this discussion due to one or more of the following: 1)they will not be significantly impacted by the proposed action; 2)they are not specifically regulated by local, state or federal law or code; 3)their life cycle and/or habitat use criterion do not make them reasonable indicators of probable effects to other wildlife species. Four species were selected for analysis because of their regulatory status, sensitivity to human activities, known use of the study area, limited habitat resources in the region and/or their ability to serve as indicators of probable effects to a variety of other wildlife species. Each species is discussed, complete with known-use history, special habitat availability and likelihood of continued future habitat capability for the species. Mule Deer: These are large ungulate browsers, important to social and economic functions of local communities. Further,this species serves as an"umbrella species," which means that if habitat requirements to meet the needs of this species are present, then we can safely assume that a great many other species will be adequately supported in the area as well (Caro& O'Doherty 1999, Lambeck 1997,Roberge&Angelstam 2004). Mule deer are known to utilize the site sporadically throughout the year. The Property is not considered to be a production area or normal summer range for the species and there are no migration corridors mapped on the site by CPW. The entire Property is mapped as mule deer winter range, and the southern half of the parcel is noted as a Winter Concentration Area,which areas are defined as locations that harbor 200%higher densities of animals than surrounding areas of defined winter range in the five average winters out of ten. However, because of the lack of native shrub species and the bulk of the site consisting of irrigated grass pastures or grassy wetland vegetation,there is relatively little forage available for deer,particularly under the severe, deep-snow circumstances which would force them to utilize the area. Site visits from April through December of 2020 did note the presence of 3-5 mule deer on a somewhat regular basis, usually in the far northwestern corner of the Property where a sagebrush/rabbitbrush community is the dominant vegetation. The largest group sighted contained two adult does with a yearling and two fawns. No bucks were ever documented. Tracks and scat were noted sporadically in other locations around the Property. Bald Eagle: There are no Bald eagle nests nor roost sites known to occur on the Property, though there is an active nest site approximately 0.8 miles southeast of the Property, and another approximately 4 miles to the west. There are mature cottonwoods suitable for eagle nest sites on the parcel and it would appear to be an attractive location for nesting. These trees would also provide perches for hunting or roosting along the river. However, bald eagles are territorial and the presence of other nearby active nest sites likely precludes adoption of this location for a nest site at present. Abundant, mature stands of cottonwoods and Ponderosa pine exist both upstream and downstream of the Property, and provide a plethora of habitat for this species. The entirety of the Colorado River corridor is mapped by CPW as summer and winter foraging habitat for bald eagles. 6