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the area are already accustom to any mine disturbances. Also, no <br />• new impacts to the fishery, riparian habitats, water quality, or <br />aquatic habitat are anticipated as a result of mine operations. <br />Five threatened or endangered mammal species ( black- <br />footed ferret, river otter, wolverine, gray wolf and grizzly bear) <br />occurring in Colorado have historic range in this area. Three of <br />these species are believed to be extirpated in Colorado, they are <br />the black-footed ferret, gray wolf, and the grizzly bear. In <br />addition, no prairie dog colonies were observed during the 1984 <br />site reconnaissance therefore no potential black-footed ferret <br />habitat exists. <br />There have been unconfirmed reports of river otters in <br />the general mine area. A pair of otters was reported on the South <br />Fork of the Purgatoire River in 1993. However subsequent searches <br />of the area have not indicated any otters using this area (Holder <br />1994). However, no impacts to otters are anticipated do to the <br />• lack of disturbance to the river or the aquatic habitat within the <br />project area. <br />Wolverines are known to occur in Colorado however, in <br />limited numbers. There have been no documented reports of <br />wolverines in the general mine area. <br />The greenback cutthroat trout is listed as having <br />historic range in this area, however, with rainbow and brown trout <br />being present, competition has eliminated the greenback. The <br />Arkansas River speckled chub and Arkansas darter are listed as <br />endangered species lower in the watershed, however, should not be <br />impacted because of no additional water diversion associated with <br />the current mining operation. <br />Also one species of insect has been identified as <br />potentially occurring in *_he general mine area. The nysa roadside <br />• skipper typically inhabits areas of shrubby woodlands near water <br />courses as well as roadsides (Pague 1993). However, the lack of <br />2.04-34 (b) (Revised 01-04-94) <br />