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Page 3 Historically, the black-footed ferret occurred throughout Colorado. Literature and recent field studies document a close association between prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. The standard that is used by the Service for determining possible project effects to black-footed ferrets is the disturbance of currently occupied prairie dog habitat. Should any of the activities associated with this project result in an impact to prairie dogs, black-footed ferret surveys may be necessary. As black-footed ferret surveys are considered valid for one year, prairie dog towns surveyed more than one year prior to construction may have to be resurveyed. We would like to bring to your attention species which are candidates for official listing as threatened or endangered species (Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 225, November 21, 1991). While these species presently have no legal protection under the Endangered Species Act (Act), it is within the spirit of the Act to consider project impacts to potentially sensitive candidate species. Additionally, we wish to make you aware of the presence of Federal candidates should any be proposed or listed prior to the time that all Federal actions related to the project are completed. Federal Candidate Species Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus Northern goshawk Accioiter gentilis Columbian sharptailed grouse Tvmoanuchus ohasianellus columbianus Black tern Childonias niger White-faced ibis Plegadis chihi The ferruginous hawk is the largest buteo in North America and is a category 2 listing candidate. It is a common summer resident of grasslands in northwest Colorado, occasionally nests in pinon-juniper woodlands, and feeds on small mammals such as prairie dogs and rabbits. Human disturbance near active nest sites can result in nesting failure. A petition to list the ferruginous hawk was recently determined unwarranted by the Fish and Wildlife Service. However, there is a need to continue monitoring the status of this candidate species. The loggerhead shrike is a category two listing candidate species. The shrike may be found in a variety of habitats below 6,000 feet elevation, including riparian areas and pinyon-juniper woodlands. The shrike is a fairly common summer resident and spring and fall migrant in Colorado. The loggerhead shrike may feed on large insects, small birds, or mice. The loggerhead shrike has shown significant population declines over much of its range. It has been extirpated from some areas in eastern Colorado, but appears stable in western Colorado. It is a rare to uncommon winter resident in western valleys north to Mesa County and on the southeastern plains north to the southern El Paso County. The loggerhead shrike has a]so been identified by the Partners in Flight international joint venture as a neotropical migrant worthy of attention.