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• RESULTS The computer printout of the answers for the WET evaluation for the proposed Hogue Pit is presented in Appendix A, WET Answer Dataset. Information in existing data sources was available to answer all of the questions in WET Answer Dataset with the exception of questions 63.1, 63.2 and 64, which deal with site specific hydrologic characteristics of these wetlands. Data is not available to definitively answer these questions. A printout of the Wildlife Habitat Suitability Evaluation for the various avian and fisheries species of importance to this area are found in Appendix B, Wildlife Habitat Suitability Evaluation. Based upon this evaluation, it appears that due to the absence of suitable fisheries cover along. the Yampa River, this stream segment has a somewhat lower rating than would :normally be expected. The available information also suggests that: the fisheries diversity,;of this stream-segment is somewhat limited. . Waterfowl characteristics are derived mainly from the extensive listing for Northwest Colorado prepared by USDI .(1976). This evaluation (Appendix B, Wildlife Habitat Suitability Evaluation) documents that 9.of the 14. waterfowl species commonly associated _ , with wetlands are known to occur in Northwest Colorado. However; some caution must - be used in this evaluation since this listing suggests that 3'of these 9 species known to utilize this region are reported over winter in this area. While this assumption is obviously - relevant to sections. of the._Yampa River at lower elevations that do not freeze during the winter, the wildlife values for portions of the Yampa, such as encountered at this site, - should take into account the fact that there is essentially no free water during the coldest . . months of winter. Therefore, these ratings should be interpreted with this word of caution. Upon comparing the seasonal use characteristics, it appears that while 9 species migrate through this area, only the Prairie Dabblers and Inland Geese waterfowl groups are believed to nest in this area. Examination of the Habitat Suitability Ratings of the 9 species known to occur in the area reveals that all have Low ratings for this area. Only Waterfowl Group 11, the Whistling Swans, that have not been reported to occupy this site, have ratings of Moderate. The WET Manual lists 173 species of Wetland-Dependent Birds commonly associated with wetland areas. This evaluation suggests that 37 of these species are known to occur in Northwest Colorado and thus potentially occupy this site. These species are found in Appendix B, Wildlife Habitat Suitability Evaluation. Of these 37 species of Wetland-Dependent Birds, 25 species possess a Low Habitat Rating, 10 species possess a Moderate Rating and only 2 species possess a High Rating. However, of these 37 species, only 10 species occur in the project area within the seasonal use categories utilized in the WET Methodology. The 10 species known to occur in this area are encountered only as migrants and are so designated in Appendix B, Wildlife Habitat Suitability Evaluation. All of the species known to occur in this area within the seasonal • use category provided for in WET possess Low Habitat Suitability Ratings. According to Appendix C, Summary of Evaluation Results, the highest Habitat