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PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE <br />PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEY <br />FORT LUPTON PROPERTIES <br />WELD COUNTY, COLORADO <br />JULY 19, 2004 <br />Introduction <br />The Preble's meadowjumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (Preble's) was listed <br />as a threatened species on May 13, 1998 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of <br />1973, as amended (63 Fed. Reg. 66777 (December 3, 1998)). Under existing regulations, <br />either a habitat assessment or a full presence/absence survey for Preble's is required for <br />any habitat disturbing activity within areas determined to be potential Preble's habitat <br />(generally stream and riparian habitats along the Colorado Front Range and southeastern <br />Wyoming). Typically, this mouse occurs in low undergrowth consisting of grasses and <br />fortis, in open wet meadows, riparian corridors, or where tall shrubs and low trees <br />provide adequate cover (USFWS 2004; Meaney and Clippinger 1995). The mouse <br />occurs below 7,600 feet in elevation, generally in lowlands with medium to high moisture <br />(USFWS 2004; Natural Heritage Program 1996) along permanent or intermittent streams <br />(Ryon 1996). <br />From June 14 through tune 19, 2004, ERO Resources conducted a trapping survey <br />for Preble's along Big Dry Creek, a reach of the South Platte River, and on an irrigation <br />ditch located on the Fort Lupton properties, [he site of potential sand and gravel <br />excavation. The purpose of this survey was to determine the presence or absence of <br />Preble's along these drainages. No Preble's were captured at the site. <br />Site Information <br />Location: The project site is located in Weld County, T1N, R66W, W '/z Sections 7, <br />18 and 19 and T1N, R67 W, NE '/. Section 24, N %z Section l3, Section 12 and the S W '/ <br />Section 1 in the Fort Lupton T/z-minute USGS quadrangle (Figure 1). The study area <br />contains l I parcels of private property collectively called the Fort Lupton properties, <br />owned by private farmers and D&S Mining. The trapping survey focused on riparian and <br />wetland habitat along the drainage ways on these properties. The proposed project is <br />