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the azea. However, no habitat considered to be critical to nearly all these species will be affected. Also, there aze large expanses of the different habitat types found in the vicinity and the loss of a minor amount of habitat over the short term should have negligible affect on any of these species should they occur. METHODS Habitat conditions were assessed along the proposed road comdor. Bird surveys were conducted along the access road corridor during three sampling periods. Surveys were conducted at approximately two-week intervals from mid-May through eazly-June. For surveying bird activity along the proposed Sylvester Gulch access road, mazked plots ' were established at varying distances during the first survey. These distances ranged from approximately 1000 to 1400 feet. Exact locations selected were based upon factors such as habit condition and whether the site represented average vegetation conditions in the ' immediate azea. Plots were mazked with flagging so the same location would be used during each survey. These same locations were used in surveys conducted in 2002 and 2004 as well. At each location the observer would stop and record birds observed or heard within a reasonable distance for 10 minutes. Birds observed when traveling between plots were also recorded. Surveys of all suitable raptor nesting habitat within a reasonable distance of the road were ' conducted. For much of the area, mountain shrub (primarily Gambel oak) dominates the landscape. Areas such as these or other unsuitable habitat were not surveyed for raptor ' nests. In locations where aspen or spruce/fir provided suitable nesting habitat the area was surveyed to approximately 1/4 mile from the road. There are situations where suitable nesting habitat exists within 1/4 mile, but is over a ridge that provides a visual ' buffer from the nest. Observations by many senior wildlife biologists have shown that when a visua[ buffer exists, primarily in the form of topographic or vegetative relief, raptors will nest closer to, and are less affected by ongoing activity. During recent studies ' for other projects raptor nests were found close to roads and azound operating vent wells. If road construction occurs after the nesting season raptors that may nest in the azea would not be affected. FINDINGS Sylvester Gulch Road Habitat Survey The Sylvester Gulch trail runs from Mountain Coal Company property southeast to the Site 16-08 road junction (see Figure 1), and traverses along the edge of the drainage for its entire 5400-foot length. A spring and other wet areas are adjacent to the trail. The drainage grade averages about 8%. Side-slopes range from 20-70 % with the west side of the drainage tending to be less steep than the east side. The existing trail intersects Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), aspen (Populus tremuloides), and Douglas fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii) vegetative communities. Elevation is from 7000 to 7400 feet.