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2. In the event that bald eagle roost or concentration areas are established on the tract, no surface activity, except subsidence, shall occur within one-half mile of the winter roost between November 15 and March 15. Visits into the buffer zone should be limited to the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 3. Raptors - a) Prior to development of any surface facilities, nesting raptor surveys must be conducted on the tract. b) No surface activities will be allowed within one half mile of an active nest between February 1 and August 15. Exceptions will require approval of the BLM authorized officer. Alternative A: Given the lack of designated critical habitat and [he low to negligible potential for occurrence of Threatened, Endangered, candidate, proposed, or sensitive species, combined with the fact that this alternative would result in no direct surface disturbance, these species would not be impacted. No effect. Signaarre of specialist: Jim Ferguson WILDLIFE, AQUATIC Affected Environment: The only surface drainage or other surface water body in or in close proximity to the proposed lease modification area is Hawksnest Creek, a small ephemeral tributary to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Due m steep channel eradients. brief. high-intensity seasonal Flows. and the lack of a developed floodplain or riparian community characteristic of Hawksnest Creek, it does not support a viable aquatic community and does not meet the applicable criteria for aquatic environments and resources under Standard 3. The only other potential for adverse impacts on aquatic environments would be downsVeam water quality impacts from ongoing mining operations which have been previously addressed under the discussion of Surface and Ground Water Quality. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: Proposed Action: Given that no aquatic community exists within or in close proximity to the proposed lease l modification area and that no surface disturbance, other than minor subsidence effects, is proposed or contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal ]ease modification, there would be no impact on aquatic resources. No impact. Alternative A: Given that no aquatic community exists within or in close proximity to the proposed lease modification area and that no additional surface or underground disturbance would occur under the No-Action Alternative, there would be no impact on aquatic resources. No impact. Signature of specialist: Jirn Ferguson VEGETATION Affected Environment: The proposed lease modification area is an upland area dominated by the Mountain Shrubland vegetation community with minor inclusions of an Aspen 'rVoodland community. The Mountain Shrubland community is dominated by woody shrubs including Gambel oak, mountain snowberry, big sagebrush, fourwing saltbush, and skunkbush sumac. Grasses and (orbs occur in open areas with Indian ricegrass, native bluegrass, quackgrass, Letterman needlegrass, basin wildrye, cheatgrass brome, Japanese brome, and western wheatgrass as the dominant grass species and prairie sage and various other annual and perennial fortis. The existing plant communities generally meet the criteria of Standard 3 with the exceptions of nor:ious weed and non-native plant occurrence and limited plant litter due to the steep terrain and poorly developed soils. Environmental Consequences & Mitigation: Psgposed Action: Because no surface disturbance, other than minor subsidence effects, is proposed or contemplated in conjunction with the proposed coal lease modification, it is not anticipated that existing vegetation resources would be disturbed or impacted. No impact -9-