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H <br />• species. At least 30 acres of suitable swifr fox, mountain plover, ferruginous hawk, mule <br />deer, and pronghorn habitat may be directly disturbed and temporarily lost for one or <br />more years related to the surface mine operation. Reclamation would begin within one <br />year of direct disturbance. <br />Iri addition to the surface mine disturbance, the 1'66-acre plant facility, 23-acre access <br />road, and 14-acre railroad will result in direct long-term habitat loss of 203 acres for the <br />life of the project. After the project is completed, these facilities will also be reclaimed to <br />shortgrass habitat. <br />Noise and increased traffic generated from the operation may temporarily displace many <br />wildlife species; however, some wildlife species tend to be fairly tolerant to disturbances <br />that continue on a day-to-day basis for long periods of time, and some may become <br />accustomed to the noise. The mining operation is not likely to impact any migratory <br />routes because the site is surrounded by similar habitats, providing migratory species <br />with similar migratory corridors. <br />Reclaiming areas to shortgrass prairie will minimize long-term impacts to wildlife <br />relating to these short- and long-term habitat losses. It is recommended that burrow <br />surveys be conducted for swift fox before any ground disturbances take place, and that <br />mountain plover surveys are conducted if there is to be any ground disturbance between <br />May 1 and June 15. Ferruginous hawk nesting surveys should also be conducted prior to <br />any ground disturbances between Mazch and July. If any operations are to occur within <br />• one-half mile of the St. Chazles River or Greenhorn Creek, raptor surveys should, be <br />conducted in those habitats. All surveys should be conducted within the entire project <br />area prior to initial construction, and preceding any new ground-disturbing activities. <br />Swift fox, mountain plover, and ferruginous hawk habitats will be reclaimed both during <br />and after mining operations. If reclamation is done properly, these species should be able <br />to recolonize this area once mining is completed. <br />Riparian area <br />The riparian area along Greenhorn Creek will not be affected by the project. Abridge <br />will be built across the St. Charles River that will result in disturbance in the immediate <br />area during construction and an increase in traffic for the life of the project. There will be <br />temporary disturbance in the river channel, but if appropriate measures are taken to limit <br />the amount of silt entering the river, any potential Arkansas darter populations <br />downstream will be unaffected by the project. <br />Temporary disturbance to the bald eagle, if it occurs within or neaz the project area, could <br />result if the bridge is built during the bald eagle and.raptor nesting season (February 1- <br />July 31); raptor nest surveys should be conducted between March 1 and July 1 prior to <br />construction. If a nest is found, construction should be postponed until the eagles or <br />other raptors have fledged. The increased traffic on the bridge may result in disturbance <br />• to potential nesting raptors, including the -bald eagle, within one-half mile of the bridge <br />AppExhibitsA-T-APP(1180)RevBganuary 17, 2002 H-7 <br />