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Methane Drainage Wells Project Plan Technical Revision 103; MDWs 20-04, 20-05, 21-05, 21-06 Page 5 of 12 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 azeas of Ravens Gulch or Sylvester Gulch. Previous reports titled, "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Clearance Survey for Panels 16, 17, and 17S, October 2001" and "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Cleazance 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 azeas adjacent to the MDW project area on pages 573 through 577. The EIS concluded that no threatened or endangered plants (pp.573-577) exist in the azea adjacent to the proposed drilling location. The Wildlife Section (pp. 577-582) includes description of the lands associated with MDWs 20-04, 20-05, 21- 05 and 21-06. The only threatened wildlife species is the bald eagle, which inhabits the North Fork Gunnison Valley during the winter months. Delisting of the bald eagle from the US threatened species list is currently proposed. This EIS also concludes that no Threatened or Endangered aquatic species (pp. 580-582) exist in the azea. Several Environmental Analyses have been conducted for the project azea. The Ravens Gulch Exploration Area analysis completed in 1998 for 19 drill holes and associated temporary access roads resulted in a Decision Memo and Finding of No Significant Impact, Mountain Coal Company, Proposed Coal Exploration License, as approved by Mr. Ray L. Kingston, Paonia District Ranger (4-13-98) stated, "The proposed action will not adversely affect an endangered or threatened species or its critical habitat " The proposed activity of this project is nearly identical to the approved activity on the Ravens Gulch Exploration License and for Longwall Panels 14 and 15. An Environmental Assessment and corresponding Finding of No Significant Impact was issued by the USFS for Gob Vent De-gas Boreholes 15-O1 through 15-OS in October 2001. The proposed methane drainage well project activities will avoid riparian habitat to the extent possible. Operations will be located such as not to interfere with raptor nesting sites, and managed to minimize conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting seasons. The report entitled, "Box Canyon West Methane Drainage Wells, Wildlife Habitat Evaluations and Inventory for T&E, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species" prepared by Michael Ward Outdoors and Monazch & Associates dated June 2005 was prepazed pertaining to a neazby area (within approximately one-half mile). This report sunmiarizes, "No Federally-listed or State- listed Threatened and Endangered Species that could potentially occur within this portion of the Gunnison National Forest would be adversely impacted by construction of drill site locations and access roads because little or no suitable habitat would be affected. The only management indicator species observed were red-naped sapsuckers and elk. Sapsuckers were commonly