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INTRODUCTION Oxbow Mining, LLC is planning on continued surface disturbance activities that are necessary as part of their underground mining operations. This includes exploration drilling, Gob Vent Boreholes and access roads to these sites. In the past the process has been to conduct surveys on an annual as needed basis. This has been time consuming and at times probably not necessary. In an effort to minimize surveys, in 2005 Oxbow contracted with Monarch & Associates to have a large scale survey conducted. The area surveyed is shown on Figure I. The purpose of these surveys was to delineate vegetation/habitat types and conduct surveys for wildlife and plants listed as Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species (TESS) and Management Indicator Species (MIS) as well as other species within those types. By doing so, lazge expanses of certain vegetation types or azeas could be ruled out as areas that would be used by listed species or in which listed species may be found. This will help Oxbow and the agencies in long range planning for the azea. There have been both office and field reviews of this proposed project for Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species that aze known to, or may potentially be found in the area affected by this project. Wildlife and habitat surveys were conducted for the project during the late spring of 2005. In addition to studies for this specific site, habitat and wildlife studies have been conducted throughout the general azea since 2002. This background data has been used to better evaluate the importance of this azea for wildlife when compazed with other similaz habitat in the North Fork Valley. The tables included with this report show federally listed Threatened or Endangered, USFS and BLM Sensitive Species (TESS) and USFS Management Indicator Species (MIS) that may potentially be found in the azea affected by this project or are listed by the GMUG as occurring on forest lands. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During the habitat and wildlife surveys conducted in May and June of 2005 no federally listed Threatened or Endangered Species were observed in the project area. There is no suitable habitat for Canada lynx, boreal toad or Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly. There is no nesting or winter roost habitat for bald eagles within the project azea. Habitat is lacking for the two listed plant species, Clay-loving buckwheat and Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus. Habitat is lacking for the two listed candidate species, Gunnison sage grouse and yellow-billed cuckoo. Water withdrawal may affect species offish listed as endangered. However, the FWS in two Biological Opinions has addressed this issue. Those opinions found that under provisions of the Endangered Species Act, Oxbow Mining, LLC would not be in violation if they limited water removal to the number of acre feet established by the FWS. All Threatened and Endangered Species aze addressed in the Biological Assessment that is part of this report.