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Section 780.16(a) Continued. <br />U <br />square mile. Therefore, it is anticipated that approximately four <br />(4) deer will be displaced from their summer range as a result of <br />the proposed mining. However, as in the case of antelope, the <br />alternative summer range in the area will easily absorb the dis- <br />placed animals. Since no additional disturbance is proposed at the <br />Kerr Tipple, no impact on mule deer is anticipated in this area. <br />Lagomorpfis. Nuttall's cottontail and whitetailed jackrabbits will <br />be temporarily displaced by the proposed mining operations. How- <br />ever, the number of rabbits displaced will be very small due to the <br />low density of these animals on the Kerr Mine Area. In addition, <br />the reproductive potential of these species further minimizes any <br />long term impact of mining. Finally, once reclamation of mined <br />areas is accomplished, significant numbers of these animals are <br />expected to return to the reclaimed areas. <br />i • <br />Small Mammals. The immediate impact of mining on small mammals on <br />the Kerr Mine Area will be the destruction of the food and cover <br />needed by these species. Removal of topsoil will cause the most <br />immediate damage and will result in some mortality of the nonmobile <br />and ground burrowing species listed in Table 33, Species of Mammals <br />which Occur or are Likely to Occur on the Kerr Mine Area. The more <br />mobile species will be displaced from these areas and will attempt <br />to reestablish themselves on undisturbed areas. Based upon reports <br />by the Institute for Land Rehabilitation (1978) and Urness (1979), <br />it is anticipated that Least chigmunks and northern pocket gophers <br />will experience decreases in population, deer mice will be largely <br />unaffected, and mountain voles actually will increase in population <br />as a result of mining and subsequent reclamation efforts. <br />I~ <br />Small mammal population at the Kerr Tipple Area will be unaffected <br />by the proposed action since the entire area has been previously <br />disturbed. <br />780-41 <br />