2003-04-30_PERMIT FILE - M2003030 (2)

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more interested i-~ ' decomposed granite soils ber~f .the cliffs. This will avoid .disturbing .jesting area of the peregrine ,on. - _ Because the mining activities will be removing potential habitat of the moonwort species (found in disturbed areas), they may be adversely impactod by the project. Exposed soil will still exist and to a greater extent after the claims have been rehabilitated. The fluvial and alluvial soils located within and around the drainages are not desirable for the miners so are likely to be avoided. Most of the mining claims are on the hilltops and slopes. This will avoid affecting the amphibians and reptiles possibly inhabiting the water, along with the fox sparrow and the northern blackberry. If any mining activities are proposed for the riparian areas within Crystal Creek, a separate Biological Evaluation will be done. Cummulative Effects The Crystal Creek area is a famous mining area because of amazonite and smokey-quartz crystals. Because of this, historic mines are present and reclaimed. Larger mining activities (greater than 1600 sq. ft, of disturbance) are in progress or are proposed within the area. They include the Rocket, Two-Point and Betty Blue Claims. These three claims have removed up to 1 acre worth of trees. Other activities include semiprimitive road recreation, motorcycles and ATV trails, cattle grazing, horseback riding, elk and deer grazing, hunting and past timber removal. Any mining activities which may occur in the future within this 6-7 square mile area are likely Co have similar effects on these species. The accumulation of mining claims which remove trees may have a significant affect on those species dependent on the trees for nesting, foraging and cover. Because the existing forest conditions are multilayered and of various ages, regrowth of the tree species within rehabilited claims is likely to occur, especially in forests dominated by ponderosa pine with aspen. There is an abundance of regrowth beneath the canopy layer in the majority of the project area examined. MITIGATION MEASURES Rehabilitation activities will help the mining areas to eventually resume their original condition. This will reduce the affects on these species in the future. Roads currently existing will be used for mining vehicles, and temp road construction will be obliterated and reseeded. 'Trees which will be removed are limited in number (usually 2-5 trees per claim). They will be bought by the claim owner to ensure tree conservation. This will reduce the impacts on these species once mining activities are complete. Mining activities which will remove riparian vegetation will need a separate Biological Evaluation. Mining activities should not occur in historic mine shafts where there is a possibility of the Townsend's big-eared bat. There are no known abandoned