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MOUNTAIN COAL COMPANY WEST ELK MINE <br />2005 COAL METHANE DRAINAGE PROJECT <br />WELL 24-08 <br />WILDLIFE HABITAT EVALUATIONS AND INVENTORY <br />FOR <br />T&E, SENSITIVE AND MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES <br />INTRODUCTION <br />The following information is a description of wildlife habitat and Threatened and <br />Endangered, Sensitive (TES) and Management Indicator Species (MIS) surveys for a <br />ventilation hole and access road in East Sylvester Gulch for the Mountain Coal Company <br />2005 West Elk Mine Coal Methane Drainage Project. <br />A survey for all Federal and State listed Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive and <br />Management Indicator species and associated habitat is required before road building, <br />pad construction and drilling can begin. To satisfy this requirement, Mountain Coal <br />contracted with Michael Ward Outdoors to conduct the surveys and prepare a report <br />presenting the findings. Information requirements and methodologies for conducting the <br />studies were established with the USFS during prior years of studies and were used <br />during the 2005 studies. <br />This report presents findings on the presence or absence of any listed species, habitat <br />availability and condition, presence of raptor nests and other bird species observed in the <br />study azea. <br />GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING T & E, SENSITIVE AND <br />MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES <br />In reviewing the list of species and their habitat requirements provided by the USFS the <br />conclusion can be drawn that habitat for most of these species is lacking or of poor <br />quality at, and azound, all proposed drill sites and access roads. No riparian wetland or <br />stream habitat will be affected by activities associated with the proposed drilling <br />operations. <br />Generally, suitable habitat is lacking for the only ground dwelling Federal and State listed <br />mammals. There is no suitable lynx denning or wintering habitat that will be disturbed by <br />construction ofproposed roads or drill sites. Canada Lynx could possibly move through <br />the area, but it is doubtful any would remain. There is no suitable habitat for black- <br />footed ferrets in the area. Spotted and big-eazed bats may occur in the azea, but no <br />habitat they would use for roosting or hibernaculums would be affected by activities <br />associated with proposed operations. <br />Given the habitat requirements of many bird species listed as Threatened, Endangered, <br />Sensitive (TES), or Management Indicator Species the possibility of affecting any habitat <br />