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mre c. rrimus <br />5. Three species offish were found within the permit azea: longnose dace, flathead chub, and white <br />sucker. Additionally, brown trout were found in the Purgatoire River downstream of the permit <br />area. <br />6. The permitazeadoesnotcontainsuitablehabitatforanyfederally-listedthreatenedorendangered <br />species. Although a bald eagle was observed, it probably does not use the permit area to any <br />substantial extent. The species is primarilyawinter resident in this area. Flathead chubs were <br />formerly classified as a federal candidate species and was found in Lorencito Canyon and the <br />Purgatoire River. <br />Impact Analysis <br />Based on these project and fish and wildlife resource traits, the primary impacts of the proposed Lorencito <br />Canyon Mine on fish and wildlife would be: <br />• temporary loss of about 870 acres of wildlife habitat; <br />• increased displacementofrelativelyminornumbersofpasserinebirds,reptiles,andmobilesmall <br />to medium-sized mammals that are able to avoid earth-moving equipment; <br />• loss of relatively minor numbers ofsmall mammals and herptiles that are not able to avoid earth- <br />moving equipment; <br />• fragmentation of habitats by the haul roads in Lorencito, Jeff, and Cow Canyons; <br />• increased displacement of mule deer, elk, black bear, and turkeys to more secure, isolated habitats <br />(some animals will habituate to the on-going activities); <br />• increased potential for wildlife/vehicle collisions on the haul roads; and <br />• decreased water quality in Lorencito Canyon resulting from increases in sulfate, TDS, iron, and <br />manganese. This may adversely affect the fishery (especial ly the flathead chub population) or fish <br />food source (macroinvertebrates and periphyton). <br />~ ~,~-U~ <br />2.05-79 (revised 6/30/97) <br />