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Exhibit H <br />• St. Charles River occur within mule deer winter range (NDIS 2001). Mule deer use the <br />project area year-round. <br />Riparian Habitat <br />The riparian aeeas occur along the St. Charles River at the northern end of the property, <br />and along Greerihorn Creek just west of the property boundary. They are dominated by <br />mature plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides), with patches of rabbitbrush <br />(Chrysothamnus nauseosus) and tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima). <br />TES species that prefer ripazian areas and streams that were identified by the USFWS <br />(Carlson 2001) include bald eagle, Preble's meadow jumping mouse (PMJM), and <br />Arkansas darter. This riparian habitat provides potential nesting habitat for raptors and <br />other birds, and provides habitat for mule deer. None of the TES species are likely to use <br />the riparian areas within the project area. <br />The riparian areas along the St. Charles River and Greenhorn Creek could potentially <br />support nesting raptors. Raptors typically nest during the spring, between Februazy and <br />July. <br />Bald Eagle <br />The bald eagle, a federally and state threatened species (Carlson 2001; CDOW 2001), <br />• prefers nesting in large trees near water that provides a sufficient food source. There aze <br />no known occurrences of nesting bald eagles within the project area (Kaczmazek 2001, <br />CNHP 2001), but the riparian area along the St. Charles River provides suitable habitat. <br />However, it does not likely provide a sufficient prey base to support a pair of nesting bald <br />eagles. The bald eagle is known to occur within Pueblo County (NDIS 2001). <br />The bald eagle is a common winter resident along the Arkansas River, and is an <br />uncommon to fairly common winter resident of the eastern plains in Colorado. It is <br />common in winter (November to mid-Mazch) and raze to uncommon during the rest of <br />the year in Pueblo County (Andrews and Righter 1992). No nests were observed during <br />the 2001 survey of the project area, and the bald eagle will not likely nest within the <br />project area. <br />Preble's meadow jumping mouse <br />The PMJM, a federally and state threatened species (Cazlson 2001; CDOW 2001), prefers <br />ripazian habitats with willows and a dense understory near a permanent water source. <br />There aze.no known occurrences of PMJM within the project area (CNHP 2001),-and the <br />ripazian azea along the St. Chazles River does not provide suitable habitat for PMJM. <br />There are no known PMJM occurrences. within Pueblo County (NDIS 2001). <br />The PMJM does not occur within 'the project azea. PMJM has not been captured in <br />. Pueblo County, and no suitable habitat occurs within the.project area. <br />APPExltibitsA-T-APPQ I80)Rev8/January 1 ], 2002 H-5 <br />