REV102571 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Based on current information, the project will have No Effect on clay-loving wild buckwheat. Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus: To date no Unite Basin Hookless Cactus have been located during surveys in this portion of the Gunnison Forest (Bradford USFS and Ferguson BLM, per. comm.). The neazest known plants were observed North-northwest of Paonia along the foot of Grand Mesa (Ferguson, per comm.). The species is found at an elevational range of 4,500 to 5,900 feet within the desert shrub vegetation community. Habitat for this plant consists of gravelly or rocky surfaces on river terrace deposits and lower mesa slopes. The species occurs on varying exposures, but is more abundant on south-facing exposures, with slopes to about 30 percent grade and where terrace deposits break from level tops to steeper side slopes. Based upon habitat descriptions provided, suitable Unite Basin hookless cactus habitat does not occur in or neaz the proposed project azea. Potential suitable habitat for Uinta basin hookless cactus does not exist within the project area. • The proposed project will not affect any known azeas that could possibly support Uinta basin hookless cactus. • No new permanent roads will be constructed as part of project activities. The temporary road to be constructed will be obliterated after use. No roads run through habitat capable of supporting Uinta basin hookless cactus. • Cumulative adverse effects on Uinta basin hookless cactus by proposed actions will not occur. • The limited scope and scale of the proposed action means that Uinta basin hookless cactus habitat is not at risk, and population viability is not at risk. Based on current information, the project will have No Effect on Uinta basin hookless cactus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: To date no yellow-billed cuckoos have been located during surveys in potentially suitable habitat in the Gunnison Forest and North Fork Valley. Currently, the only known populations of breeding yellow-billed cuckoos are in the southwestern U. S. In recent years, none have been observed during breeding bird surveys in this portion of western Colorado. What habitat they use for nesting and brood rearing depends on the geographic area. Data indicate they require rather extensive stands of cottonwoods with a good understory of willows or other suitable species. Other than in some areas of the southwest they typically nest in old growth cottonwoods with dense understories. Long-term and cumulative effects on yellow-billed cuckoos aze not expected to occur based on the knowledge that: Potential suitable habitat for the yellow-billed cuckoo does not exist within the Project area. • The proposed project will not affect any known cottonwood stands or riparian areas that could possibly support yellow-billed cuckoos. 20