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 LC.
' August 2005 Spruce Stomp Fedeml Coal Explomtion License (150 - 2005 -43)
The summer range for elk primarily consists of aspen and spruce/fir habitats that provide thermal
' and security cover. Elk winter range occurs at elevations less than 8,000 to 8,400 MSL, and
typically consists of oak brush and mixed shrub slopes where exposure limits the accumulation
of snow.
' Elk calving or production areas are defined as the portion of the range occupied by cow elk from
May 15th to June 15th (BLM and GMUG 2000). No elk production areas have been identified
' by the CDOW within the SSCEL, and the only known elk production area near the SSCEL is
located at higher elevations within the uppermost portions of the Terror Creek and Hubbard
Creek watersheds (BLM and GMUG 2000). The CDOW maps depict production areas where it
' is likely that elk calving occurs. It is also likely that some level of elk calving occurs within the
SSCEL, especially in years of heavy accumulations of snow and delayed spring snowmelt (BLM
and GMUG 2000) (Figure 3 -3).
' Furbearers and predators potentially present within the area of potential affect include black bear,
coyote, red fox, long - tailed weasel, badger, striped skunk, bobcat, American martin, and Canada
lynx.
High elevations in conjunction with the general lack of shallow -water shoreline and emergent
vegetation limit the presence of waterfowl in the area. Potential use of the SSCEL for resting,
1 feeding, or nesting is primarily limited to dabbling ducks (such as mallard and teal), spotted
sandpiper, and killdeer (BLM and GMUG 2000).
A wildlife habitat evaluation and inventory was completed for the Proposed Action (June 2004
and June 2005). Initial information requirements and methods, including assessment of habitat
at each proposed drill site and along each road corridor, were established through consultation
' with federal and state agency biologists. Wildlife surveys were conducted for a radius of 400
feet around each site and 400 feet either side of proposed road corridors. Emphasis was placed
on threatened and endangered species of federal or state interest, and sensitive species. In
' addition, a detailed survey for suitable raptor nest habitat, songbirds, and other pertinent avian
species was conducted for both active and inactive nests within a %2 mile radius of each drill site
or road corridor. Each site and access road was surveyed on three different occasions for
wildlife activity, concentrating on threatened, endangered, candidate, and sensitive species.
Generally, each site was surveyed at approximately 10 -day intervals between mid -May and early
June 2004. This is considered to be the peak of nesting activity for most bird species. It is also
the peak of parturition activity for many mammalian species. A record was kept of all birds
observed during the site surveys. A total of 48 different bird species was observed during the
surveys and during travel to and from sites.
Migratory bird species considered during this analysis are those on the USFWS Birds of
Conservation Concern for the Southern Rockies, as well as others on the USDA -FS MIS (Gault
Group Inc. 2005) list and Sensitive Species list. For the Birds of Conservation Concern, based
on the habitats available, the following species have the potential to occur in the SSCEL area:
golden eagle, flammulated owl, Williamson's sapsucker, Virginia's warbler, black - throated gray
warbler, and Grace's warbler (Gault Group, Inc. 2005b).
In addition to the Wildlife Evaluation Report (Monarch and Ward 2004), a Biological
Assessment (BA) (Gault Group Inc. 2005c) and Biological Evaluation (BE) (Gault Group Inc.
3 -8