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• <br />CMLRB -Exhibit H <br />Wildlife Information <br />Page 6 <br />cottonwood saplings and ponderosa pines planted in shallow drainage basins atop <br />and between landforms will naturally replace the function of the artificial poles. <br />Bald eagles currently roost in and hunt from cottonwoods in an existing mine pit, <br />south of the Southwestern plant. <br />• Creation of landforms/water features with diverse habitats supporting other (non <br />prairie dog) prey species (e.g., small rodents, lagomorphs, nongame birds, and <br />waterfowl). The additional raptor hunting opportunities provided by the wildlife <br />prey base in these habitats could compensate for reduced prairie dog availability. <br />• Creation of rock outcrops (rimrock) for lagomorphs, potential prey species for <br />bald and golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and other raptors. <br /> <br />• <br />Retention of 2500 linear feet of 100 to 120 foot tall, unreduced highwalls in <br />/appropriate areas to provide suitable sites for cliff-nesting raptors. No such cliff <br />/ nesting habitat presently exist in Dowe Flats. Such cliffs, surrounded by <br />r proposed, complementary landforms/vegetation types, and visually screened from <br />most the Dowe Flats valley bottom, could realistically be occupied by great <br />horned owls, American kestrels, prairie falcons, golden eagles, ferruginous <br />hawks, and red-tailed hawk, barn owls and common ravens. Depending on final <br />highway characteristics, "potholes" could be created (1 per 100 linear feet of <br />cliff) to create additional nesting ledges. Other raptors, such as long-eazed owls <br />~ and sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks, could also nest in adjacent habitats. <br />These cliffs would also be used as nest sites for potential prey species (e.g., rock <br />doves and cliff swallows) and other wildlife ecologically important to the <br />community. <br />No burrowing owls have been observed in Dowe Flats. A systematic survey for burrowing owls <br />will be conducted between May and August 1993 to confirm their absence. If burrowing owls <br />are observed, appropriate mitigation measures, that are acceptable to Boulder County and the <br />proponent, will be cooperatively developed and implemented. <br />Bi ame <br />• Although mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk are seasonally present in the vicinity of the <br />