2006-06-12_REVISION - M1978314 (3)

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GREATER SAGE-GROUSE: The King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine proposed pit expansion may have the following actual and potential impacts on Greater Sage-Grouse and their habitat in the Five Pines Mesa area: habitat loss and fragmentation, reduction of habitat quality, population decline and associated species persistence concerns, reduced productivity, increased predation. and mortality rate, and increase in noxious weeds. Amore detailed analysis follows. The activity proposed by King Mountain Sand & Gravel Minc will result in the loss of valuable sage-grouse habitat located on the property as well as loss of habitats located ur close proxiauty W and within the created disturbance zone of the proposed operation. The proposed site and its' associated disturbance zone is located entvely within the following critical habitats for Greater Sage-Grouse: breeding habitat and production areas (leks/strutting grounds, prelaying habitat, nesting habitat, early bmod-rearing habitat, and summer latr brood- rearing habitat), sununer range, transition range and winter range. Loss of these valuable habitats could potentially result in significant deterioration of the Greater Sage-Grouse population in South Routt County. Furthermore, reduction in habitat avai]abiIity and population decline wind result in the population being more sensitive and vulnerable to natural processes like drought and West Nile Virus resulting is an accelerated rate of population decline. The current population for Greater Sage-Grouse in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties is believed to be somewhere between 304-489 birds. CDOW data indicates the Greater Sage-Grouse population in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties has declined since the late 1950s. We are wncemed that this decline will continue. Further reduction in sage-grouse numbers will seriously wmpromise the tong-term viability of the Greater Sage~irouse in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties. Therefore, the protection of critical Greater Sage-Grouse habitats is an essential component to ensuring the survival of Greater Sage-Grouse in South Routt County. Because the Greater Sage-Crrouse population in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties is a small and relatively isolated population, the population has an increased vulnerability to long- term loss of habitat and a greater susceptibility for localized extirpation. The proposed 20-yeaz lifespan of the King Mountain Sand & Gtavel-Mine could-potentially outlive sage-goose in South Routt County. While the applicant has proposed that the mining operation will occta in four separate phases and only include 184 acres of the total 341 acres with no more than 67 acres being disturbed at any given time, there is a broader zone of disturbance. Greater Sage-Grouse are vulnerable to dis4ubance, particulazly nesting hens. Greeater Sage-Grouse have a low nest suwess rate. If the hen is disturbed, nest abandonment is not uncommon Greater Sage-Grouse will re-nest; however, racazch indicates that re-nesting atoempts by sage-grouse can be infrequent and typically results in a smaller clutch size. There are also significant energetic costs associated with stress that may weaken individuals making them more vulnerable w disease and other external factors. Ultimately, this increase in disturbance could potentially limit and reduce sage-grouse production in the area of the pit as well as in nesting areas along the county roads. Because of the increase in pit size and production, there will be an increased volume of truck traffic oa the county roads. Greater Sage-Grouse in the Five Pines azea often utilize habitats adjacent to county roads. This is particulazly true on Routt County Road 3 over Five Pines Mesa where broods are often observed. High use of this area is most likely due to the proximity of the Five Pines Mesa Ditch. Any increase in vehicular traffic on these county roads could potentially increase the Greater Sage-Grouse mortality rate as a result from birds being unintentionally injured or killed by vehicles. Due to the close proximity of the proposed pit to several active Greater Sage-Grouse and Columbian Sharp- tailed Grouse leks, the noise associated with the operation could affect the awustiea! quality of those leks. Any reduction in acoustical delivery mould result in lower lek attendance, lek abandonment, and reduced grouse reproduction. The soil and vegetative disturbances that will result from the King Mountain Sand 8c Gravel Mine will increase the potential for noxious weeds. Invasion of noxious weeds can have a significant impact on the native grass and fort understory in sagebrush communities. Changes to the grass and forb understory can signi5cantly affect availability and nutritional quality of food for sage-grouse.