Laserfiche WebLink
• birds and insects, which in turn fluctuate in response <br />to the quality and quantity of vegetation and to <br />climatic changes. No significant impacts are anticipated <br />for any carnivore species, provided reclamation activities <br />are successful. <br />c) Lagomorphs <br />White-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus to~nsendil range <br />throughout the lease area. Cottontails (SyZvilagus <br />auduboni and possibly S. nuttalliil are less common, <br />presumably due to the scarcity of suitable denning <br />sites; i.e., rocky outcrops. Populations of these <br />species are not expected to be significantly affected. <br />Habitat for the latter species could be enhanced by <br />providing suitable denning sites, by leaving rocky <br />overburden at selected locations along the edges of <br />escarpments. <br />d) Rodents and other small mammals <br />• The small mammal populations have not been studied. <br />Species which are expected to occur are shown in <br />Table 1G. <br />3. Birds <br />At least 37 species of birds occur in similar <br />habitats in the region, thirteen of which have been <br />recorded cn the lease area (Table 1G). <br />a) Gailinaceous game birds <br />During scoping meetings, attention was drawn <br />to the sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as the <br />species of greatest concern among members of the <br />regulating agencies. The area is currently under <br />study by graduate students at Colorado State University <br />under a BLM grant to Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br />It is believed that the lease area provides nesting <br />habitat for sage grouse and is located adjacent to <br />an active lek (strutting ground). <br />• <br />-6- <br />