Laserfiche WebLink
FISH AND WILDLIFE <br />The applicant has proposed to conduct mining activities in a <br />manner which will minimize impacts on wildlife. The measures <br />proposed are listed below. <br />1) Creation of a livestock-free, ecological study area will <br />provide a site in which effects on vegetation and wildlife can be <br />assessed. The increased volume of forage available to resident <br />wildlife, and the increased density of vegetation for cover and <br />shelter, are expected to compensate for the removal of vegetation <br />within the 139.9 acre disturbed area. The reserve will also <br />demonstrate vegetation potential and provide a seed source <br />serving to expediate plant succession in the reclamation phase. <br />2) The monitoring program will include measurement of <br />trends in the plant community and in wildlife. abundance. The <br />information to be collected includes; plant cover, composition <br />and productivity, breeding birds present, seasonal bird use, <br />small mammal density and additional wildlife observations. <br />3) Otlier mitigative measures to be employed by the <br />applicant include the proper positioning of haul roads, limiting <br />off-road vehicle use and the prohibition of hunting on the <br />proposed mine site. In addition, wildlife will be excluded from <br />settling ponds containing hazardous materials and no blasting <br />will occur during early morning and evening hours when wildlife <br />are most active. <br />Protection of the sage grouse lek will be accomplished by <br />location of the haul road one-quarter of a mile to the north. <br />The closest proximity of mining activities to the strutting <br />ground will also be over one-quarter of a mile. Activity in <br />these areas will be restricted duriny the early morning hours <br />from late March through early May while the grouse are strutting. <br />_97_ <br />