REV98009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Sald eagle The bald eagle, (Haliaeetais leucocephalus), is a bird of aquatic ecosystems, frequenting estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, major rivers, and some seacoast habitats. Prey during the breeding season primarily consists of fish, but waterfowl, seagulls, and canyon are also eaten. The species may also use prairies if adequate food is available. Bald eagles usually nest in trees near water, but are known to nest on cliffs and (rarely) on the ground. Nest sites are usually in large trees along shorelines in relatively remote areas that are free of disturbance. The trees must be sturdy and open to support a nest that is often 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Adults tend to use the same breeding areas year after year, and often the same nest, though a breeding area may include one or more alternate nests, .The major components of habitat in wintering grounds include an adequate food source and suitable trees for diurnal perching and nocturnal roosting. The Eagle 5 & 9 mine lies within bald eagle winter foraging range and a major bald eagle concentration area. BTU Empire Corporation has identified a bald eagle root site approximately 0.8 miles west of the permit area and two nest sites, one approximately one (1) mile north and a second nest site approximately six (6) miles northeast of the permit area. Given the proximity of nesting and roosting sites available to bald eagles it is likely that bald eagles could occur on the permit area and may forage for rodents and other small prey on the open agricultural fields on the permit area. Bald eagles have a small potential to be involved in collisions with or to be injured by contact with power lines and poles at the mine even while the mine is in temporary cessation. Therefore, OSM has determined that RN-04 "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" the continued existence of the bald eagle due to the current inactivity at the site. Mexican spotted Owl The Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), is medium sized with dark eyes and no ear tufts, brownish in color and heavily spotted with white or beige. This species occupies habitat ranging from mountains with dense, multi-storied forests with moderately closed canopies, to canyon systems with little or no tree cover ranging from 4,900 to 9,000 feet above mean sea level. Suitable habitaC that would support a Mexican spotted Owl population was not found during the most recent study of the permit area and adjacent areas. Due to a lack of suitable habitat, OSM has determined that RN-04 will "not affect" the continued existence of the Mexican spotted owl. Canada lynx The Canada lynx (Lynx Canadensis), is a medium-sized cat with long legs, well furred paws, long tufts on the ears, and a short black tipped tail. Adult males average 22 pounds and thirty- three inches in length head to tail. Adult females average nineteen pounds and measure thirty- two inches in length. Suitable habitat includes primary habitat of coniferous forests of spruce and fir or lodgepole pine, and secondary habitat of aspen or Douglas-fir mixed with the primary habitat at elevations between 8,000 and 11,500 feet. Lynx also periodically traverse other forested and non-forested habitats including lower elevation woodlands and shrublands.