2006-12-18_REVISION - M1978314 (3)

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King Mountain Sand and Gravel Mine Ecological Resources Assessment Page 13 Disturbed Sites: typically vegetated with annual grasses and weedy vegetation that provide habitat for small mammals and migratory songbirds, particularly when the vegetation is in seed. At other times of the year the habitat tends to have a low value. These are transitional habitats in along roadsides and around structures. 5.2 Natural Diversity Information Source The Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS) is the primary state level source of data and analysis used for decisions on land-use affecting Colorado's animals, plants, and natural communities. The lead agency for NDIS is the Colorado Division of Wildlife. NDIS maps indicate the ranges and activity areas of various wildlife species, paz[iculazly wide-ranging species and big game. Specific geographic areas may be important for a large number of congregating wildlife. The maps, where applicable, depict overa}l, winter and summer ranges, and other activity areas of importance, including concentration and production areas and migration corridors. The NDIS information included herein was current as of May, 2005 (NDIS 2005). The NDIS database was searched for wildlife habitat of importance for wide-ranging species, big game species, and species with concentration sites occurring on or near the Property with the following selected results displayed in Table 3. Maps of summer and winter ranges are included in Appendix 3B. Table 3. NDIS Habitat Mapping Wildlife Species Habitat American Elk (Cervus elaphus) Summer range Winter range Overall range Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Summer range Overall range According to Mike Jones elk are common year round residents on the property and will use all of the habitats. Mule deer are common summer residents on the Property and use all of the habitats. They are uncommon in winter. 5.2.1 Wildlife Species List A potential wildlife species list for the property was compiled from the NDIS database for Routt County for amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles. This county list was [hen edited by the report prepazer for the habitats present on [he Property, and checked with appropriate literature review (Andrews and Righter 1992, Fitzgerald et al. 1994, Kingery 1998, and Hammerson 1999). Based upon this potential wildlife species list, suitable habitat is found on the Property for 4 species of amphibians, 143 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, and 4 species of reptiles. The complete species list is found in Appendix 9. 5.3 Wildlife Species of Concern Table 4 is a list of federal and state listed endangered and threatened species, and State of Colorado listed "Species of Special Concern" (CDOW 2005) that are potentiallX found on the Property. Greater sage grouse are confirmed as occumng on the Property. Range