2005-07-13_REVISION - M2000016 (10)

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FORT LUPTON PROPERTIES PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPPIG MOUSE SURVEY Wildlife observed in the area included white-[ailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemonius), desert cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii), wild turkey (Meteagris gallopavo), prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans), western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), rock dove (Columba Livia), redwing blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), American robin (Turdus migratorius), black-billed magpie (Pica pica), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), and American goldfinch (Cardeulis tristis). Conclusions and Discussion ERO conducted a site visit and determined that the site contained wetland and riparian vegetation with herbaceous and adequate shrub cover potentially suitable for Preble's habitat. A presence/absence survey was conducted in the best available potential Preble's habitat from June 14 through June 19, 2004. No Preble's were captured along the South Platte River, Big Dry Creek, or the irrigation ditches located on the Fort Lupton properties in 1,325 trapnights of effort. Trapping effort exceeded the 750 trapnights recommended in the 2004 survey protocol to ensure that all potential Preble's habitat was more than adequately surveyed. The study area has vegetation characteristics suitable for Preble's but, based on this trapping effort, it appears unlikely that Preble's presently exist on or near the project site. A high number of trapping surveys and habitat evaluations have been conducted upstream and downstream on the South Platte River and along Big Dry Creek near the Fort Lupton properties with no captures of Preble's being reported. ERO has concluded that development of the proposed area would not likely adversely affect the continued existence of Preble's. This conclusion is based on the 1,325 trapnights conducted with no captures of Preble's, nearby negative trapping surveys, and the amount of fragmented and disturbed habitat on the Fort Lupton properties. Qualifications of Surveyors Qualifications of Ronald D. Beane have been previously submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are available upon request. Mr. Beane is a certified ecologist 6 Kam. _. __ B.S. in environmental science from Willamette University. Moneka has experience handling small mammals in the field and has viewed Preble's specimens at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. References Cited DA TI MBI Environmental. 2000. Presence/Absence survey for Preble's meadow jumping mouse Riverbend Operation. Prepared for Tuttle Applegate, Inc. Greystone. 1998. As viewed on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service database 1998-2002. Greystone. 1998. As viewed on V.S. Fish and Wildlife Service database 1998-2002. Meaney, C.A. and N.W. Clippinger. 1995. A survey of Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) in Colorado. Prepared for Judy Sheppard, Colorado Division of Wildlife.