PERMFILE43701 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Three Geotechnical Drill Holes at Deer Creek Shaft Project Plan Minor Revision 338 Page 4 of 9 Evaluations and Inventory for T&E, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species" prepared by Michael Ward Outdoors and Monazch & Associates dated June 2005. SOILS The topsoil was salvaged previously and they vazied from silty and sandy loams mainly derived from the Wasatch Formation, to organic humus covering clay soils observed in the Aspen groves. Sandstone bedrock is present throughout most of this area as observed from the rock outcroppings. WILDLIFE Vegetation communities in the project azea include: Mountain shrub (dominated by Gambel oak), Aspen, Gambel oak, Spruce-Fir, Douglas fir and Grass/forbs. Wildlife species associated with these habitat types are commonly found throughout this portion of the North Fork Basin. The project area is an important range for deer, elk, and bear. Other animals in the project area include coyote, rabbit, porcupine, beaver, squirrel, mice and other rodents. The proposed well project will be managed to avoid conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting season. Operations will be located such as to not interfere with raptor nesting sites, including Golden and Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. Additional wildlife information pertaining to the area is contained in the report titled, "Box Canyon West Methane Drainage Wells, Wildlife Habitat Evaluations and Inventory for T&E, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species" prepared by Michael Wazd Outdoors and Monarch & Associates dated June 6, 2005, and a Breeding Bird Survey conducted and submitted with the MR-334, Annual Operating Plan in 2006. THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES Previous Threatened and Endangered and Sensitive Species (TESS) clearance surveys have not identified threatened or endangered plant or animal species on West Flatiron, Dry Fork, or within adjacent coal exploration areas of Ravens Gulch or Sylvester Gulch. Previous reports titled, "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Cleazance Survey for Panels 16, 17, and 175, October 2001" and "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Clearance Survey for Panels 18 through 24, West Elk Mine, October 2001", indicate that none of the TESS species that could potentially occur within the Gunnison National Forest would be adversely impacted by the proposed project. The Final West-Central Colorado Coal Environmental Statement prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM, 1979 describes the vegetation aeeas adjacent to the