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Bald eagles aze known to winter in the Yampa River Valley north of the permit azea and are known to nest in both the Yampa and White River valleys. Baseline surveys of the Colowyo permit area found no suitable roosting habitat, nest sites or concentrated prey or carrion sources. Bald eagles, however, may use the permit area as foraging habitat and have a potential to be involved in vehicular collisions while foraging along roads, or to be injured by contact with power lines and poles at the mine. Therefore, OSM has determined that PR-02 "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" the continued existence of the bald eagle. Black-footed Ferret The black-footed ferret, (Mustela nigripes), is a fifteen to eighteen inch long, weasel-like with buff coloration, black feet, tail tip, and eye mask, with a blunt, light colored nose. The species occupies grassland plains in close association with prairie dog colonies at elevations of less than 10,500 feet above mean sea level. The Black-footed ferret preys on prairie dogs primarily and uses their burrows for shelter and denning. Baseline surveys of the Colowyo permit area found no prairie dog (Cynomys sp) colonies on or adjacent to the permit azea. Due to a lack of suitable habitat OSM has determined that the PR-02 will "not affect" the continued existence of the black-footed ferret. Mexican spotted Owl The Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), is medium sized with dazk 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 or potentially suitable habitat that would support a Mexican spotted Owl population, was not found during baseline studies of the Colowyo permit area. Due to a lack of suitable habitat, OSM has determined that the PR-02 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. Suitable or potentially suitable habitat that would support lynx, based on existing vegetation, does not exist on the Colowyo permit area. Although no lynx have been documented on the permit area, lynx still could potentially periodically travel through the Colowyo permit azea.