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HUMPBACK CHUB ~ Gila cypha • Endangered PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Endangered RAZORBACK SUCKER Xyrauchen texanus Proposed Critical habitat for the Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker is located on the Gunnison River downstream of the confluence with the Uncompahgre River. No direct or indirect effects on this critical habitat are anticipated as a result of this lease modification or R/VV. The Fish and Wildlife Service (informal consultation, 1992) has determined that "no effect" would occur to any of these species as the result of similar actions adjacent to this lease modification. BLM believes that the proposed modification would also result in a "no effect" determination. The entire tract would be considered suitable for coal leasing. Criterion 10 Federal lands containing habitat determined to be critical or essential for plant or animal species listed by a state pursuant to state law as endangered or threatened shall be considered unsuitable. Analysis No lands within the review area, or off-site that would be effected by leasing, have been determined by the State of Colorado as critical or essential habitat for any state-listed endangered or threatened animal species (Colorado Statutes, 1992; BLM, various dates). No plant species are listed by the State of Colorado as threatened or endangered. See Appendix C for a list of all state listed species considered in this analysis. Criterion 11 A bald or golden eagle nest site on federal lands that is determined to be active and an appropriate buffer zone of land around the nest site shall be considered unsuitable. Consideration of availability of habitat for prey species and of terrain shall be included in the determination of buffer zones. Buffer zones shall be determined in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. 1. Exceptions. A lease may be issued if (i) it can be conditioned in such a way, either in manner or period of operation, that eagles will not be disturbed during the breeding season, or (ii) the surface management agency, with the concurrence of the Fish and Wildlife Service, determines that the golden eagle nest(s) will be moved, or (iii) buffer zones may be decreased if the surface management agency determines that the active eagle nests will not be adversely affected. Analysis Presently, no bald or golden eagle nest sites exist on federal lands within the review area, nor on other lands within a distance of 1/4 mile of its boundaries (BLM, various dates). A buffer zone of 1/4 mile radius around golden eagle nest sites was suggested as adequate protection in the Uinta- Southwestern Utah Coal region EIS (USDI-BLM, 1983, p. A3-7). Underground coal mining and nesting bald or golden eagles are compatible on the same tract of land unless surface facilities o_r surface disturbances cause nest-site abandonment. With respect to bald or golden eagle nests 5