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to an existing road data were kept only for the site. In those instances where there were long <br />• access roads observations aze broken out as to drill site or access road where observed. <br />Unless there were observations of a specific nature big game including deer, elk and beazs are <br />not discussed for each site. There was evidence of deer and elk activity at all sites and both <br />species were observed on several occasions. The amount of activity within the azea was about <br />what would be expected in this azea given the vegetation communities and topography. Beazs <br />were observed, and there was considerable evidence (tracks and scat) of their being active <br />throughout the area. <br />GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING T & E AND SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />In reviewing the list of species and their habitat requirements provided by the USFS the <br />conclusion can be drawn that habitat for most of these species is lacking or of poor quality at, <br />and around, all proposed drill sites and access roads. <br />All roads and sites are located away from streams and ponds, precluding the possibility of <br />affecting fish habitat not only in the azea, but fiirther downstream and in major drainages. None <br />of the roads or drill sites are located in areas that would affect amphibians. <br />Suitable habitat is lacking for the only ground dwelling mammals listed by the USFWS, lynx and <br />black-footed ferret. No suitable habitat for spotted and Townsend's big-eared bats exists in the <br />vicinity of the proposed drill sites or access roads. None of these species would be affected by <br />• the proposed activities. <br />Given the habitat requirements of many bird species listed as either T&E or sensitive the <br />possibility of affecting any habitat important to these species is minimal. There is a possibility <br />that the azea might be used by some of the species. However, no habitat considered to be critical <br />to most of the species will be affected. The only species commonly using shrubby habitats <br />would be the loggerhead shrike, but in this case there aze large expanses of suitable habitat that <br />would remain unaffected by the operations. No riparian habitat that might be used by species <br />such as the southwestern willow flycatcher would be lost due to road and drill pad site <br />construction. There will be small amounts of habitat affected and changes in vegetation patterns <br />could actually be beneficial to some of these as well as other non-listed species. <br />• <br />