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the species. No critical habitats for the three principal big game <br />species are found within the area to be disturbed by the Bear No. 3 <br />Portals. Likewise, because the Bear No. 3 Portals and facilities will <br />be a continuation of underground mining, no critical habitat is expected <br />to be impacted. <br />The most common game bird found in the permit and adjacent areas is the <br />mourning dove. In a few areas, the blue grouse may occur, but only at <br />higher elevations. <br />During breeding season, several species of raptors are found in the <br />vicinity of the permit area. During the winter, the red-tail hawk and <br />golden eagle have been commonly observed, and bald eagles may use the <br />area along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />The North fork of the Gunnison River begins at the conflux of the <br />Anthracite and Muddy Creeks, approximately five miles upstream from the <br />• permit area. The stream is classified as a fishery stream by the <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife. Surveys assessing the condition of <br />aquatic environment as indicated by macroinvertebrate populations show <br />that the section of the stream above Somerset is in good condition. <br />Fish species in the river vary within the location of the stream. From <br />Paonia Reservoir downstream five miles to Somerset, the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife stocks 2,000 catchable size rainbow trout annually. <br />The North Fork supports an estimated 2,000 angler days annually in the <br />Paonia Reservoir to Somerset section, and approximatley 500 angler days <br />annually throughout the rest of the river. <br />The following sections discuss mammals in resident, breeding or winter <br />bird species which are expected to be prevalent on the permit and <br />adjacent areas. <br />Big Game <br />• Mule Deer (Odocoileus nemionus) and American Elk (Cervus canadensis) <br />appear to be moderately common on the permit area and adjacent areas, <br />2.04-45 <br />