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EXHIBIT H <br />Wildlife Information <br />To evaluate potential wildlife habitat impacts from the proposed operation, information was <br />gathered from the Natural Diversity Infor~ration Source (NDIS). The NDIS combines plant and <br />animal abundance data from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and other Colorado <br />natural resource agencies to be used for land-use analyses and decisions. <br />There are no known threatened/endangered species within the proposed project boundary. <br />Although bald eagles are observed in the South Valley area, there are no known nest or roosting <br />sites within the proposed project boundary. <br />The proposed River Valley Resource site is a working ranch used primarily for livestock grazing <br />and/or hay production. The site also contains a mixture of riparian, wetland and upland habitats <br />consisting of native vegetation. Cattail marsh, wet meadow, and stands of willow are all found <br />on the proposed site. <br />Wildlife known to be common or abundant in Routt County, and which might occur within or <br />near the proposed project site, include a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. <br />Frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, and snakes would all be expected to inhabit areas similar to <br />those found within or near the proposed site. Common species could include the Northern <br />Leopard Frog, Western Chorus Frog, Tiger Salamander, and Fence Lizard. <br />Many birds may use habitats similar to those found at the proposed River Valley Resource site, <br />either year-round, seasonally for nesting, or temporarily for roosting during migration. Some of <br />the common or abundant species could include robins, starlings, magpies, blackbirds, cowbirds, <br />orioles, finches, sparrows, swallows, wrens, larks, kingbirds, hummingbirds and doves. Because <br />of the abundant wetland and open water habitat within and near the proposed project site, shore <br />birds and waterfowl such as killdeer, herons, pelicans, ducks, and Canadian geese might also be <br />present. <br />It could be expected that most mammals common or abundant in Routt County would be found <br />near or within the proposed River Valley Resource site. Smaller mammals that might be found at <br />the proposed project site might include bats, mice, voles, gophers, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, <br />raccoons, and skunks. Some of the larger mammals could include mule deer, elk, coyote, and <br />fox. <br />The mining operation may disturb some of the wildlife within the proposed site boundary and <br />adjacent area. However, mining activities will be confined to specific areas, are a small <br />percentage of the More Family Ranch, and reclamation will be performed concurrent with <br />mining to limit the total disturbed acreage at any one time. This will help limit the disturbance to <br />wildlife in the area. <br />River I~a!!ey Resource <br />D~LfG !/2 Permit Amendment <br />Pnge !5 <br />