2005-02-10_REVISION - M1978314 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 Mine will result in the loss of valuable sage-grouse habitat located on the property as well as loss of habitats located in close proximity to and within the created disturbance zone of the proposed operation. The proposed site and its' associated disturbance zone is located entirely within the following critical habitats for Greater Sage-Grouse: breeding habitat and production areas (leks/stmtting grounds, prelaying habitat, nesting habitat, early brood-rearing habitat, and summer late brood- rearing habitat), summer 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 availability and population decline could result in the population being more sensitive and vulnerable to natural processes like drought and West Nile Vims resulting in an accelerated rate of population decline. The current population for Greater Sage-Grouse in Southern Routt and Northem Eagle Counties is believed to be somewhere between 304-489 birds. CDOW data indicates the Greater Sage-Grouse population in Southern Routt and Northem Eagle Counties has declined since the late 1950s. We are concerned that this decline will continue. Further reduction in sage-grouse numbers will seriously compromise the long-term viability of the Greater Sage-Grouse 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-Grouse population in Southern Routt and Northem 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-year lifespan of the King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine could potentially outlive sage-grouse in South Routt County. While the applicant has proposed that the mining operation will occur 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 disturbance, particularly nesting hens. Greater Sage-Grouse have a ]ow nest success rate. If the hen is disturbed, nest abandonment is not uncommon. Greater Sage-Grouse will re-nest; however, research indicates that re-nesting attempts 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 to 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 track traffic on the county roads. Greater Sage-Grouse in the Five Pines area often utilize habitats adjacent to county roads. This is particularly 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 acoustical quality of those leks. Any reduction in acoustical delivery could result in lower lek attendance, lek abandonment, and reduced grouse reproduction. The soil and vegetative disturbances that will result from the King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine will increase the potential for noxious weeds. Invasion of noxious weeds can have a significant impact on the native grass and forb understory in sagebrush communities. Changes to the grass and forb understory can significantly affect availability and nutritional quality of food for sage-grouse.