PERMFILE66866 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Coulson Excavating Company, Inc. -Stroh Gravel Pit Exhibit H-Wildlife Information Wildlife Resources Common Species in Area Most wildlife species observed on and near the site during several site visits were associated with the adjacent Big Thompson River riparian corridor. Species observed included American robin (Turdus migratorius), black-billed magpie (Pica pica), red- winged blackbird (Agelius phoeniceus), mallazd (Anas platyrhynchos), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) aze known to move up and down the Big Thompson River riparian corridor and feed in adjacent fields (Olmstead, 1999). The river also presents potential habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl. Large cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides) present in the riparian corridor and on the east edge of the permit azea provide potential nesting habitat for hawks and owls. However, no raptor nests were observed during site visits. The area to be mined is currently managed as pasture and hayfields. Approximately 44 acres is pasture that is grazed off and on throughout the year. The remainder is irrigated hayfields. Wildlife species observed on the site that are typically associated grassland habitat include some ground nesting birds such as homed ]ark (Eremophila alpestris), western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta), savannah sparcow (Passerculus sandwichensis), and vesper sparrow (Poocetes gramineus). One mammal, coyote (Canis latrans) was observed in the area to be mined. Additionally, the pastures and hayfields provide foraging habitat for many of the species that nest or den in the riparian corridor. Table 1 presents a complete list of species observed in the project area during surveys performed in May 2002. Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species Two species listed as threatened, one species proposed for listing, and one species that is considered a candidate for listing as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) potentially use the proposed permit area. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are listed as threatened. They winter in the Loveland area and are reported to fly up and down the Big Thompson River (Olmstead, 1999). Bald eagles probably hunt over the proposed permit azea. Additionally, the mature cottonwoods located in the Big Thompson River riparian corcidor, and along the northern edge of the property boundary, but outside the permit area, are potential bald eagle perch sites. Preble's meadowjumping mice (Zapus hudsonius preblei) are listed as threatened. They are associated with riparian vegetation at the base of the Front Range. A Preble's meadow jumping mouse (PMJNI) was found in the Big Thompson River riparian corridor adjacent to the proposed Stroh Pit site in 2001. Because Preble's meadow jumping mice have been shown to move up to one mile in a night and because they have been shown to feed in areas over 300 meters from the stream, the USFWS considers the proposed mine site and the adjacent riparian corridor to be occupied PMJM habitat (Carlson, 2001). H:\Stroh\word\DMG\Exhibit H a.doc