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Section 779.20 (c) Continued. <br />• Lagomorphs. White-tailed jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, and Nuttall's <br />cottontail are significant inhabitants of the mine plan area due to <br />their function as prey species (particularly for golden eagles) and <br />the game species status of the latter two species. Populations are <br />like'_y to decline as a result of habitat less ::ithin the areas to <br />be disturbed by mining and related activities. Long-term impacts <br />on the rabbit and hare populations are not expected to be significant, <br />however, since the high reproductive potential of these species will <br />enable them [o rapidly populate reclaimed areas. <br />Rlue and Sage Grouse. Blue and sage grouse represent t}ie most signi- <br />ficant game bird species that occur within tl~e mine plan area. Some <br />sagebrush habitat will be removed by mining but no identified strutting <br />grounds aro expected to be directly affected. <br />Blue grouse are found within the mine plan area where aspen and <br />mountain shrub habitats are used for breeding, nesting and feeding <br />• activities. If these habitats are removed or disturbed, the blue <br />grouse present will be displaced. Specific numbers of blue grouse <br />on the mine plan area are not known, but field observations indicate <br />that present populations are not large. <br />Raptors. The primary impact consideration for raptor species is <br />the destruction of breeding, hunting, and/or wintering habitat for <br />those species existing on the area prior to mining activities. <br />Secondarily, noise and human activity associated with mining may <br />disturb, displace, or reduce nesting success. Illegal shooting of <br />raptors is another impact which may increase with additional human <br />activity in the area. Species, such as Cooper's hawk, sharp- <br />skinned hawk, and great-horned owl which utilize wooded and shrubby <br />habitats for hunting and nesting, will be displaced from those <br />areas proposed for mining. The golden eagle, American kestrel, and <br />other potential cliff nesting species may be affected by the proximity <br />• of mining activity to the sandstone cliffs along the west side of <br />779-245 <br />