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DISCUSSION OF EFFECTS AND RATIONALE <br />Sensitive Species -Terrestrial Vertebrates <br />Townsend's big-eared bat: Townsend's big-eared bats have not been formally <br />documented in the project area. Townsend's big-eazed bats aze consistently found in <br />areas with canyons or cliffs. Townsend's big-eared bats roost in exposed, open areas in <br />cool, damp caves or mine tunnels, old buildings, and at rocky outcroppings. Townsend's <br />big-eazed bat foraging habitat is comprised of juniper/pine forests, shrub steppe <br />grasslands, deciduous forest, and mixed coniferous forests from sea level to 10,000 feet <br />elevation. It forages near tree and shrub foliage for moths and other flying insects. <br />Suitable reproductive, roosting, and migration/dispersal habitat does not occur within the <br />proposed project area. The proposed project will not affect big-eared bat suitable <br />reproductive, foraging or migration/dispersal habitat. <br />Long term and cumulative impacts on Townsend's big-eared bats are not expected to <br />occur. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of <br />Townsend's big-eazed bat towazds federal listing. <br />Fringed myotis: Fringed myotis bats have not been formally documented in the project <br />area. The fringed myotis is considered to be uncommon in Colorado. They have been <br />found in ponderosa pine woodlands, greasewood, oakbrush, and saltbush shrublands. <br />Caves, mines and buildings are used as both day and night roosts. Reproductive and <br />hibernation sites include caves and buildings, both of which are lacking in the project <br />area. <br />The proposed project will not impact fringed myotis suitable reproductive, roosting, and <br />migration/dispersal habitat. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or <br />result in a trend of fringed myotis towazds federal listing. <br />Spotted bat: No spotted bat occurrence has been formally documented within the <br />proposed project area. Potential reproductive habitats for spotted bat are crevices high up <br />on steep cliff faces. Cracks and crevices in limestone or sandstone cliffs are critical <br />roosting sites. Potential foraging habitat for spotted bat includes open ponderosa pine <br />and Pinyon juniper forests, open desert scrub shrubland, open pasture and hay fields. <br />Spotted bat suitable reproductive, roosting, and migration/dispersal habitat, in the <br />presence of cliffs and rocky outcroppings occurs within the project location. <br />The proposed drill hole sites and roads will not impact any cliffs or rocky outcroppings <br />that would provide spotted bat suitable reproductive, roosting, and migration/dispersal <br />habitat. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of <br />spotted bat towards federal listing. <br />Wolverine: The status of the wolverine in Colorado is unknown at this time (CDOW <br />2004). The CDOW has conducted surveys in the state, but have not found any definitive <br />evidence of any wolverines. Wolverines aze wide ranging and occur in low densities in <br />large roadless or isolated areas. Radio-tracking studies of wolverine in northwest <br />24 <br />