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2. Significant Non-Game Resources on the Affected Lands <br />The project site provides habitat for a diverse array of breeding and migrant bird species. It <br />also provides habitat for raptors as well. Thirteen species potentially occur in the area based on <br />the CDOW Wildlife Resource Information Service. They include: bald eagle, golden eagle, <br />Swainson's hawk, red-tailed hawk, rough-]egged hawk, northern hamer, merlin, American <br />kestrel, Cooper's hawk, sharp skinned hawk, northern goshawk, great-homed owl, and long- <br />eared owl. Many of these species are infrequent spring and fall migrants that occasionally pass <br />through the Colorado River Valley. American Kestrel and Coopers hawk are the most <br />commonly seen on the site. An on-site inspection in the fall of 2003 revealed no potential or <br />active raptor nests. However, dense riparian areas provide good potential nesting sites. It <br />should be noted that the areas within 100' of the river will not be disturbed, therefore keeping <br />much of the high quality riparian area intact. <br />3. Seasonal Use of Affected Lands <br />The pasture land and riparian areas provide good cover and forage throughout the year. Also <br />through the addition of ponds and shelf wetlands to the area during and after reclamation, the <br />site will serve as superb migratory waterfowl habitat. <br />4. Presence and Estimated Population of Threatened or Endangered species in the area. <br />No threatened or endangered species are known to exist on the site. The beginning of the reach <br />for threatened and endangers fish lies approximately 2 miles down stream from the site, and <br />continues downstream to Grand Junction. The operation will not affect the River downstream <br />in any way, since all runoff and discharge will be carefully regulated and water loss from <br />evaporation will be offset by reducing consumption by irrigation. <br />5. Fish Resources <br />Only 14 species of fish are native to the upper Colorado: the Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail, <br />humpback chub, razorback sucker, Colorado River cutthroat trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, <br />roundtail chub, speckled dace, Kendall Warm Springs dace, flannelmouth sucker, mountain <br />sucker, bluehead sucker, mottled sculpin and the Paiute sculpin. However, there are numerous <br />non-native species of fish competing for habitat. Down river is the start of the endangered <br />species habitat for the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, bonytail and humpback chub. <br />Prior to stocking fish in the reclaimed lakes the landowner will consult the CDOW for <br />guidance. <br />4/26104 Page li-2 <br />