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Threatened Endangered, and Sensitive (TESJ Species' Habitat Assessment Survey <br />April of 2004. Most of the Canada lynx have remained in the core release area, which has a <br />northern border (Gunnison, Colorado) approximately 60 miles south of the Project Area. As a <br />result of the reintroduction program, Canada lynx have established dens throughout Colorado, <br />with one den found in southern Wyoming. Most of the dens were in Engelmann spruce/subalpine <br />fir forests in areas of extensive downfall at elevations ranging from 8,700 to 11,700 feet (CDOW, <br />2004e). <br />Suitable den habitat does not exist within the Project Area, which is in Douglas-fir forest with <br />minimal downfall at 6,850 to 7,500 feet in elevation. While Canada lynx dispersing from the core <br />release area may pass through the Project Area, it is anticipated that no effects to this species will <br />result from development of this project. <br />The Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly was officially listed as an endangered species by the <br />USFWS on June 24, 1991. It has the smallest total range of any North American butterfly species, <br />with known habitat limited to two verified major sites and two possible small colonies in <br />Gunnison, Hinsdale, and possibly Chaffee counties, Colorado. All known populations of the <br />Uncompahgre fiitillary butterfly are associated with large patches of snow willow (Salzx <br />reticulata spp. nivalis) on northeast-facing slopes above 13,200 feet elevation (USFWS, 1991). <br />Proposed project development will occur far below the elevation of known Uncompahgre <br />fritillary butterfly occurrence. No effects to this species are anticipated as a result of this project. <br />The boreal toad was added to the USFWS's candidate specie:. list upon publication of a status <br />review on January 6, 1989 (USFWS, 1994). The State of Colorado lists the boreal toad as <br />endangered. It is the only alpine species of toad in Colorado. Tlie boreal toad is restricted to areas <br />with suitable breeding habitat (lakes, marshes, ponds, and bogs with sunny exposures and quiet, <br />shallow water) in spruce-fir forests and alpine meadows between 7,000 and 12,000 feet elevation <br />(CDOW, 2004f). No suitable habitat for this species exists within the Project Area. No effects to <br />this species are anticipated as a result of this project. <br />Four species of fish listed as endangered by the USFWS may be affected by water depletions in <br />the North Fork Gunnison River, which feeds the Gunnison River and eventually, the Colorado <br />River. The bonytail chub and razorback sucker historically occurred in the Gunnison River <br />system (CDOW, 2004g; CDOW, 2004h), and the humpback chub and Colorado pikeminnow <br />have a historic range that includes the Colorado River system (CDOW, 20041; CDOW, 2004j). <br />These four species, and their corresponding critical habitat, can be impacted by water depletions <br />upstream of their critical habitat, Development and operation of this project will not affect water <br />level or quality for any critical habitat for these species. No effects to any of these species aze <br />anticipated as a result of this project. <br />3.3 BLM SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />Table 2 presents the BLM list of sensitive species for Gunni:>on County, Colorado. The BLM <br />maintains a sensitive species list at the Sate Office level under the authority of the Federal Land <br />Policy Management Act of 1976. Designation of species' as sensitive is considered and eazly <br />warning system that focuses management attention on ecosystem components that are raze, <br />fragile, or in decline. <br />1838-Oxbow_TES Survey_(10.25.04).doc <br />