PERMFILE53089

• Permit No: X200521710
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/29/2005
• Doc Name: Environmental Assessment Spruce Stomp Federal Coal Exploration License
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Environmental Assessment Bowie Resources, L.L.C.
August 2005 Spruce Stomp Federal Coa Exp loration License (150- 200543)
3.2.3 Biological Resources
The area of potential affect for biological resources is generally defined as West Fork Terror
Creek and East Terror Creek watersheds. This area includes the SSCEL area on NFS lands as
well as surrounding habitats. Biological resources consist of vegetation, terrestrial wildlife, and
aquatic resources. The general habitat types associated with the area of potential affect consist
of steep hillsides, narrow drainages, perennial streams, ephemeral streams, and dry mesas.
Wildlife species and issues of concern addressed in this EA were determined through
consultation with the USDA -FS and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
3.2.3.1 Affected Environment
' Vegetative Communities and Habitat Types
' The uplands and steep hillsides in the SSCEL are predominately populated by Gambel oak, with
stands of aspen bordering the western boundary. Seven upland vegetation types were mapped at
the reconnaissance level within and surrounding the SSCEL (Figure 3 -1). These vegetative types
' include oak, aspen, spruce /fir, grass, forb, snowberry, and bare ground. Spruce /fir stringers are
present in areas primarily on northern aspects and in moist soils. Snowberry is also present and
is generally associated with the drainages of the project area. The lesser grassland meadows are
' intermixed within the shrub lands, and the narrow creek drainages in the area are generally
populated with a mixture of Englemann spruce, blue spruce, and alder.
While no federally threatened or endangered plant species are known to exist on the SSCEL, the
USDA -FS maintains a list of sensitive plant species. One sensitive plant species, Slender Cotton
Grass (Eriphorum gracile) potentially occurs within the area of potential affect. However, the
specific wetland habitat conditions that this species requires are not found in any abundance
within the project area boundary. This species is generally found in wet, peaty situations like
bogs and along lake margins (Monarch & Ward 2004). In addition to the sensitive plants, there
are a number of noxious weed species that are known to be of concern in Delta and Gunnison
counties. These species are addressed in Section 3.3.2, Range Resources.
Terrestrial Wildlife
The area of potential affect occurs within the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) Game
Management Unit 521 (BLM and GMUG 2000). Elk, mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion
occur within the SSCEL. These elk and mule deer populations exhibit seasonal movements from
higher to lower elevation habitats. Most of these shifts in distribution occur in response to
seasons, weather patterns, and snow cover (BLM and GMUG 2000).
The majority of the SSCEL represents summer range for mule deer, while the lower elevations
(below approximately 7,400 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL)) are used for winter range
(Figure 3 -2). Preferred mule deer winter range occurs generally in oak brush, mixed shrub, and
pinyon/juniper habitats that have south to west - facing slopes, and where browse tends to be
available (USDA -FS 2001b).
Elk winter range extends to higher elevations than mule deer winter range since elk are not as
restricted by snow cover as mule deer. Further, given elk's preference for higher and cooler
elevations, their summer range does not extend as low in elevation as mule deer's summer range.
3 -7