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Page 4 <br />The northern goshawk is a category two listing candidate. The goshawk is <br />associated with aspen, ponderosa pine, and lodgepole pine between 7,500 and <br />11,500 feet elevation. Migrants and winter residents are seen on all types of <br />coniferous forest, riparian forest, and occasionally shrublands. Goshawks <br />feed primarily on other birds. The northern goshawk has also been identified <br />by the Partners in Flight international joint venture as a neotropical migrant <br />worthy of attention. Your project activities should be evaluated to determine <br />whether impacts will occur to goshawks or their habitat. Pre-project surveys <br />may be necessary. <br />The Columbian sharptailed grouse is a category two listing candidate. It is a <br />local resident in Routt and eastern Moffat counties, with smaller populations <br />south to Montezuma county. The grouse is associated with shrublands and <br />cultivated fields between 6,000 and 7,500 feet elevation. Populations have <br />declined due to impacts to habitat. This grouse has declined in numbers and <br />distribution throughout its range, and has been extirpated from California, <br />Nevada, and Oregon. Its remaining stronghold is in western Colorado. Grouse <br />are entirely insectivorous. For additional information on the species biology <br />and distribution, contact Clait Braun with the Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />in Fort Collins (303-484-2836). <br />Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended, requires that the <br />Federal agency authorizing a major Federal action significantly affecting the <br />quality of the human environment to conduct and submit to the Service a <br />biological assessment to determine effects of the proposal on listed species. <br />The biological assessment shall be completed within 180 days after the date on <br />which initiated or a time mutually agreed upon between the agency and the <br />Service. The assessment must be completed before physical project <br />modification/alteration begins. If the biological assessment is not begun <br />within 90 days, the species list above should be verified prior to initiation <br />of the assessment. <br />The Fish and Wildlife Service can enter into formal Section 7 consultation <br />only with the Office of Surface Mining. The Division of Minerals and Geology <br />can participate in the informal consultation process, help prepare information <br />such as the biological assessment, participate in meetings, etc. Therefore, <br />the Office of Surface Mining, acting through the Division of Minerals and <br />Geology, should evaluate the potential impacts of this project and determine <br />if the action may affect any listed species. If a determination is "may <br />affect" for listed species, the Office of Surface Mining must request in <br />writing formal consultation from this office and should provide this office <br />with a biological assessment, and any other relevant information used in <br />making impact determinations. If a net depletion of water from the upper <br />Colorado river basin results from the project, the Office of Surface Mining <br />should also request formal conferencing due to the adverse destruction or <br />modification of critical habitat. <br />Your attention is also directed to Section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act, <br />as amended, which underscores the requirement that the Federal agency or the <br />applicant shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of <br />resources during the consultation period which, in effect, would deny the <br />