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H-17 <br />raptor nest located in a pinyon tree along a gulch at the northern <br />boundary of Section 27. The nest did not appear to have been used in <br />several years. <br />Information obtained during the 1980-1981 surveys indicated that the <br />lease area also was not used heavily during these years. Approximately <br />20 cliff nests were found in various stages of decay in the sodium <br />lease area or within a mile of this area. At that time, two of the <br />nests appeared to helve been used recently by large raptors. None of <br />these nests were located within a mile of the project area. The two <br />nests are located: 1) on Ryan Gulch Road about 1.25 miles from its <br />junction with Piceance Creek Road, and 2) on Piceance Creek Road about <br />1.25 miles north of its junction with Horse Draw. The nest on Ryan <br />Gulch Road was judged to have been used by red-tailed hawks (LGL 1981). <br />The nest along Piceance Creek Road was probably used by golden eagles <br />in the spring of 198(1 (LGL 1981). <br />Although raptor species frequently use nearby areas for nesting <br />and other seasonal use, the proposed project area does not appear to <br />contain habitat which is subject to frequent use by any raptor species. <br />Several raptor species do, however, use the project area and sodium <br />lease area occasionally. The most common raptor species which has <br />been observed within the sodium lease area or in nearby habitats are <br />American kestrel which are common along Ryan Gulch and Piceance Creek <br />Roads. Cooper's hawks have been occasionally observed in the pinyon- <br />juniper woodlands during the summer; goshawks and sharp-shinned hawks <br />were likewise observed in the pinyon-juniper habitat (LGL 1981). <br />Common winter inhabitants include golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, <br />marsh hawks, and rough-legged hawks. Bald eagles have been sighted <br />soaring above the sodium lease area during the winter, primarily along <br />Piceance Creek. Long-eared owls, great horned owls, and possibly pigmy <br />owls were also observed in the sodium lease area. Birds that may nest <br />in the area in some years include the red-tailed hawk and great-horned <br /> <br />THIS DOCUMENT COIJTAINS TRADE SECRETS AND PRIV ILEGE D,CONFIDENTIAL AND ~?. '-~,„ <br />PROPRIETARY COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA AND g00K c <br />MAY NOT BIE DISCLOSEDNCOPIED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. ~ OI ~ i <br />