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Threatened or Endangered Species Please refer to the attachments Wildlife Habitat Evaluations and Irrventory for T&E, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species reports prepared for Deer Creek Shag exploration activities by Michael Ward and Monarch and Assoc. in 2005 and 2006. These and previous surveys have not identified threatened or endangered plant or animal species within these or adjacent exploration areas. The Deer Creek Shaft exploration area is within the area covered by the Final West-Central Colorado Coal Environmental Statement prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM, 1979. The portion applicable to this section is covered on pages 573 through 582. The EIS concluded that no threatened or endangered plants (pp.573-577), or aquatic species (pp. 580-582) exist in the area. The only endangered wildlife species is the bald eagle, which does inhabit the North Fork Gunnison Valley during the winter months. Several Environmental Analyses have been conducted in the area including Ravens Gulch, Dry Fork and Lion's Mesa Exploration Areas, which included the proposed Deer Creek Exploration Area. The most recent analyses were completed in 2004 through 2006 for 24 drill holes and associated temporary access roads. The proposed activities on the Deer Creek are neazly identical to the approved activities on the Dry Fork and Lions Mesa Exploration License with exception to the small scope of the NOI. The area was extensively studied in 2005 in anticipation of the TR- 104, approval. The proposed exploration will occur in the summer, and eazly fall months and avoid riparian habitats. Operations will be located such as not to interfere with raptor nesting sites, and scheduled to minimi~r conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting seasons. Land Use The prevailing land use of the acreage contained in this application is wildlife habitat. Surface topography is rugged. Limited camping, hunting, and cattle grazing occur in the proposed exploration area. There are no highways or critical struchues in this area. The Dry Fork Road (USFS 711) is recognized and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service as a classified road. Remnant roads, originally constructed for exploration drilling access, occur in the area. User created ATV trails and jeep trails also exist. Game trails exist and it is a lmow elk winter range. Coal mining has a long history in the North Fork Valley. Mountain Coal Company has an underground longwall operation north of the proposed exploration area which has been a viable mine since 1981. Currently there are three other mines in the North Fork Valley, which include the Elk Creek Mine, operated by Oxbow Cazbon and Minerals, and the Bowie No. 2 Mine operated by Horizon Natural Resources. Other mines that have existed in the valley include Beaz Mine Nos. 1, 2, and 3; Oliver Mine Nos. 1, 2, and 3; Hawks Nest Mine, Orchard Valley Mine, Sanborn Creek Mine, the Somerset Mine, and the Edwards Mine.