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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br />PORT LUPTON PROPERTIES, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO <br />Bald Eagle (Haliaeefas leucocephalus) <br />Bald eagles are currently federally and state listed as a threatened species. Both bald <br />and golden eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1978). <br />Overwintering bald eagles are frequently observed along the South Platte River and <br />Boulder and Saint Vrain Creeks in Weld County. A search of the NDIS database did not <br />identify any known eagle nest sites or wintering areas on the project site. Furthermore, no <br />nests were seen during the site visit. The nearest known nest site is approximately 5 <br />miles to the southeast at Barr Lake and 5 miles to the east near Lochbuie. The South <br />Platte River provides bald eagle winter Foraging and winter concentration habitat on the <br />project site. Eagles foraging along the South Platte River are also likely to occasionally <br />forage near Big Dry Creek and irrigation ditches that provide mature cottonwood stands <br />for perching or prairie dogs and other prey species. <br />Block-tailed Pmirie Dog (Cyrmmys ludoviciam~s) <br />The black-tailed prairie dog is a federal candidate species and a state species of <br />special concern. Due to population declines across its historical range, the black-tailed <br />prairie dog was proposed to be listed as a threatened species under the ESA. On February <br />4, 2000, the Service issued a 12-month petition finding, which concluded that the listing <br />of the black-tailed prairie dog as threatened is warranted, but an immediate proposal to <br />list is precluded by other, higher priority actions. This finding establishes the black-tailed <br />prairie dog as a candidate species for federal listing for protection under ESA. The status <br />of this species will be re-evaluated annually by the Service. <br />Black-tailed prairie dogs are social animals that occur in large colonies or "towns" <br />formed by a series of burrows. Prairie dogs provide an important prey resource for <br />numerous predators and their burrows help provide habitat for other species by creating <br />an environment that is inviting to other animals. Prairie dogs live in burrows about 3 to <br />14 feet) deep and between 10 to 100 feet long. A mound at the entrance of the burrow <br />prevents water from rushing in and serves as a lookout station. A density of 35 black- <br />tailed prairie dog mounds per acre is common, although up to 95 mounds have been <br />reported. Burrow systems have one to three entrances (Andelt and Hopper 1998). ERO <br />