Laserfiche WebLink
0 <br />collection until the "leks" if present would no longer be in use. One man-week, <br />however, was spent in ground surveys looking for concentrated scat, nests and <br />other indications of "lek" activity but to no avail. Low level aerial <br />reconnaissance, three separate times, and detailed analysis of aerial <br />photographs were also done. At beet only three potential "lek" sites could be <br />identified. They are indicated on Map 124. Consultation with Colorado Division <br />of Wildlife personnel from the Denver office and Lou Vidukovich, the local <br />conservation officer, indicated that no ]mown "leks" has been identified for the <br />area. A similar lack of knowledge was attested for the area of concern by BLM <br />personnel from the Meeker and Craig offices. <br />Western Fuels will conduct a study of sage grouse reproductive activity in the <br />spring of 1981. The study will focus on the waste disposal area and the <br />approximate four-mile coal conveyor from the "D" portal to the railroad load-out <br />facility. Should "lake" be found, they will be provided a 200-yard buffer zone <br />for protection. It should be pointed out, however, that sage grouse will return <br />to a "lek" area even though it has been severely disturbed. In Idaho, sage <br />grouse use an asphalt highway for lek activity (personnel communication). They <br />have also destroyed corn and dry land grain seedings where agricultural <br />operations have usurped previously used "leks." Should the disposal site happen <br />to destroy an unknown "Iek," reclamation will likely allow continued use or <br />according to Delke et al. (1963) new strutting can be established by clearing an <br />area of one-fourth to one-half in dense stands of sage. The reclamation program <br />O will plan suitable revegetation to sllox for sagebrush and open areas for new <br />"lek" activity but will allow sage grouse to disrupt revegetataion reclamation <br />efforts if such occurs in the process of new "lek" establishment. <br />(2) Western Fuels is currently conducting a big game migration study in the mine <br />permit area. Mule deer and pronghorn observations will be made via aerial <br />reconnaissances from October 1980 through April or May 1981. The main <br />objectives of the study are to 1) determine the timing of fall and spring <br />migratory movements; 2) estimate the spatial and temporal variation in <br />population sizes; and 3) identify important areas, such as major crossings. <br />Appropriate mitigation measures will then be developed in regard to potential <br />coal transportation system impacts. <br />(3) Western Fuels is presently conducting a big game investigation within and <br />adjacent to the mine permit area. The main objectives of the study are to (1) <br />determine movement and migration patterns for mule deer and pronghorn, (2) <br />identify xinter use area, and (3) estimate population sizes. <br />MAP 8 SHOWS ONLY THE LOCATION OF TRANSECTS. NO OTHER MAPS WERE PRESENTED THAT <br />RELATED TO HABITAT AND MIGRATORY ROUTES NOR WERE MONITORING LOCATIONS AND <br />MITIGATION FACILITIES DESCRIBED OR MAPPED. MAPS PRESENTED IN THE TERT SHOW <br />SPECIES DISTRIBUTIONS IN NORTHWEST COIQRADO AND NORTHEAST UTAH BUT ARE <br />INADEQUATE FOR EVALUATION OF ON-SITE DISTRIBUTION. <br />Maps have been prepared and are included for the prime species of major concern <br />based upon probable species response to the proposed actions. These maps <br />indicate the actual area wherein the species waa observed and the habitat type <br />(dominant vegetation). These habitat types are assumed to be the habitat <br />70-80 19 <br />