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1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />Ecosphere Environmental Services (Ecosphere) was contracted by Mr. Todd Fisher of La Boca <br />Canyon Ranch (L,BCR) LLC to conduct a Biological Assessment (BA) for the proposed <br />development of the approximately 100-acre Ignacio Pit at La Boca Canyon. The proposed <br />gravel pit would be developed in phases entirely within the 330-acre LBCR in La Plata County, <br />Colorado. The scope of this BA addresses the potential impacts of the proposed Ignacio Pit at La <br />Boca Canyon on federally listed flora and fauna. Other future developments on the LBCR such <br />as future housing, infrastructure, conservation easements, etc. are not addressed in this BA. <br />The purpose of the BA is to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 <br />U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The BA reviews, analyzes, and documents the direct, indirect, and <br />cumulative effects on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) federally listed endangered, <br />threatened, and/or candidate species and proposed or designated critical habitats thereof, as a <br />result of the proposed action. <br />2.0 SUMMARY OF THE ANALYSIS <br />2.1 Threatened/EndangererUCandidate Species <br />There are 11 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed threatened, endangered, or <br />candidate flora and fauna species listed by the USFWS with potential to occur in La Plata <br />County, Colorado. The boreal toad is no longer listed as a candidate species (USFWS 2005). <br />All species received a "no effect" determination due to an absence of individuals or habitat in the <br />proposed project area. Table 1 in Section 5.0 -Threatened and Endangered Flora/Fauna <br />summarized the rationale for this determination. <br />2.2 Project Area <br />The La Boca Canyon Ranch is located approximately 6.5 miles-south of Ignacio, Colorado, and <br />0.25 miles north of the New Mexico/Colorado state line. The parcels include the entire SE '/< (4 <br />parcels) and the SE/SW '/< of Section, 16 and the NE '/< of Section 2, all in Township 32 North, <br />Range 7 West (New Mexico Principal Meridian) in La Plata County, Colorado. Elevation of the <br />subject property ranges from approximately 6,170 to 6,400 feet. Vicinity and proposed project <br />area maps are provided in Appendix A <br />The analysis area considered in this BA consisted of the proposed gravel extraction areas (Figure <br />3, Appendix A) and habitats within a 0.5-mile radius of these areas. <br />R;..]...,a....l Aoo.,omm~.,r fn. +b., 7., Rn..., r.... e..l Ps+ P...;..o+ <br />