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CMLRB -Exhibit H <br />• Wildlife Iofortnation <br />Page 5 <br />/ totals. Due to reclamation plan design, prairie dog colonies will also be spatially isolated from <br />V/ ,~ each other to a greater degree than at present, thereby reducing the probability that a plague <br />yp~ epizootic, which routinely decimates prairie dog towns along the Front Range, would wipe out <br />the entire raptor prey base in Dowe Flats. <br />In addition to the perpetuation, ,specific reclamation, and isolation of large prairie dog towns, <br />~~ implementation of the raptor mitigation and enhancement measures discussed below aze expected <br />to more than compensate for any values lost during the mining process. These measures are <br />ummarized in the Mitigation section of this document. <br />~, \Qyh <br />actor Habitat Mitigation and Enhancement Measures <br />~L'6~ • Avoidance of the bald eagle roost/hunting perches in the mature-decadent <br />f7 cottonwoods flanking the irrigation ditches east of the present county road <br />(Exhibit H Map, 6200 to 8400 north X 7700 to 10,700 east) <br />• ~ Establishment of a large cottonwood stand and numerous smaller stands, that <br />5' could eventually serve as a bald eagle roost. Although only a few cottonwoods <br />` ~~ , ~ would be removed from the haul road corridor crossing the ditches, it is expected <br />that vehicular disturbance could displace eagles from a zone up to a maximum of <br />~~ ~ 100 yards of each side of these roads (a 200 yard corridor). This distance is <br />based on observations of perched, roosting, and hunting bald eagles adjacent to <br />,, similar active mining operations at Southwestern's Lyons mine, approximately <br />( ,~O it two miles south of Dowe Flats. It is expected that portions of the present roost <br />X t <br />~~~ will remain viable, but its capacity will be reduced. To enhance future roost <br />availability in Dowe Flats, a replacement cottonwood stand would be established <br />within the reclamation mosaic in an area visually screened (minimum 0.25 mile <br />buffer) from potential disturbances outside the reclaimed landscaping (Exhibit F - <br />Reclamation Plan Map). <br />• Installation of raptor hunting perches throughout the affected area. Initially, <br />telephone poles will be established atop reclaimed landforms to facilitate aerial <br />predation. Poles would be established along the perimeter and within the interior <br />of the reclaimed azeas overlooking prairie dog towns, reclaimed rimrock areas, <br />• and most habitats that are expected to be colonized by prairie dogs. Eventually, <br />