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.y <br />~~:; <br />c:c <br />Threntened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species-Dri((Site Clearance~or Drifl Pad Sites l5-0/. 15-01, lS-o3, 16-0/. and 16-od <br />- RESULTS <br />,,,, <br />f t'rP <br />I'^:? <br />[[: <br />1 <br />r.., <br />L". <br />I <br />~.. <br />~;..= <br />~`' <br />a <br />i <br /> <br />The field im~estigation was completed in two tasks. Task 1 entailed the determination of suitable <br />habitats in the block area for each TES species. Task 2 entailed a species survey if suitable <br />habitat was identified. All field work was completed on July 31, 2001. <br />Within the block area there are three floral zones. Drill site IS-03 is located the first zone which <br />is situated on asouth-facing slope and is within a mountain shrub cotrtmunity dominated by <br />Gambel's oak. The second zone contains sites 1~-01, IS-02, and 16-04 and is a ripazian corridor <br />with aspen and sagebrush. Drill site ] 6-01 is located in the third zone which is a spruce-aspen <br />forest primarily situated on east-facing slopes along Deep Creek. <br />The first zone, and drill site 15-03, is located at the northern side of the block area, which is on <br />the south facing slope of West Flatiron. The habitat is a dense mountain shrub community <br />consisting primarily of Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii), choke cherry (Prunes virginiana), and <br />serviceberry (Amelanchier nlnifolia). Patches of snowberry (.Symphoriearpos occidentnlis), <br />hawthorn (C'rataegus erythropoda), and mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus montamrs) were also <br />observed. The understory consists of native grasses and forbs including orchard grass (Dactylis <br />glomerata), western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) (see <br />photo 1). <br />Several USFS sensitive species may occasionally use this type of habitat, and may be present at <br />the site. These species include: dwarf shrew, fox sparrow, and Lewis' woodpecker. Individuals <br />of these species may utilize this habitat at times, but this is not preferred habitat for any of these <br />species. None of these species were observed at or riear the site. <br />The second zone, containing drill sites 15-02, 15-03, and 16-04, includes the riparian drainage <br />that flows east into Deep Creek and the lower elevation of the north facing slope adjacent to it. <br />Common plant species observed in this area includes aspen (Populus tremula), sagebrush <br />(Artemisia tridentada), and blue spruce (Picea pzrngens) interspersed with choke cherry and <br />snowberry. Dominant species of the diverse understory includes wild raspberry (Rebus idctezrs), <br />wild rose (Rosa woodsii), hawthorn, and coneflower (Ratibida columnifern) (see photo 2). <br />Several TES species may occur in this type of habitat including Canada lynx, dwarf shrew, <br />pygmy shrew, purple martin, fox sparrow, Lewis' woodpecker, northern goshawk, olive-sided <br />-'' flycatcher, golden-crowned kinglet, and milk snake. None of these species were observed at or <br />near the site. The Canada lynx utilizes this habitat; however, no lynx populations are known to <br />occur near the project area. No cavity or raptor nests were found in the aspen or spruce trees but <br />~` several northern flickers were observed. Other TES bird species may occur in this azea but no <br />direct impacts to them are expected and specifically, no impacts to nesting or young birds are <br />anticipated due to the timing of the proposed drilling. <br />f <br />Site 16-O1 is located just west of Deep Creek in a mature blue spruce woodland interspersed with <br />aspens, choke cherry and snowberry. The understory vegetation is similar to that in the drainage <br />4 - <br />TSEDrISiteClearance-S Vl'(210)FNL.doc 3 <br />