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Biological Assessment for DMG Permit Renewals McClane Canyon & Munger Canyon Mines
<br />typically flies low over water, taking emerging aquatic insects. It roosts by day in rock crevices,
<br />caves, mines, and buildings, or swallow nests, and by night under ledges, bridges, or in trees
<br />(Fitzgerald et al. 1994; Ellison et al. 2004). Wintering habitat and migration habits are little
<br />understood. The population status of the Yuma myotis in westem Colorado or within the
<br />assessment areas is unknown. Threats are not well documented, but may include closure of
<br />abandoned mines without adequate surveys, some forest and riparian management practices,
<br />and pest control activities in buildings (Ellison et al. 2004).
<br />Northern pocket gopher (SC). The northern pocket gopher is a burrowing, herbivorous rodent
<br />found in a wide range of habitats with good soil development, drainage, and forage
<br />characteristics above about 5,000 feet in elevation; however, grass-forb rangelands at
<br />elevations of 9,000 to 11,000 feet with at least 20 inches of precipitation are most favorable
<br />(Fitrgerald et al. 1994). The population status of the northern pocket gopher within the
<br />assessment areas is unknown. Potential effects of the McClane and Munger operations include
<br />habitat fragmentation by roads and roadkill. Given that only small areas within the areas of
<br />permitted surface disturbance (canyon bottoms, riparian corridors) are likely to provide habitats
<br />for this species, and given the relatively small area affected within the assessment areas, and
<br />given that surface disturbances pre-existed the proposed actions, the proposed actions are not
<br />likely to cause measurable effects on the northern pocket gopher.
<br />5.6 Plants
<br />Uinta Basin hookless cactus (T) is the only federally-listed plant species potentially affected by
<br />the proposed actions. This small pink-flowered barrel cactus is indigenous to four western
<br />Colorado counties and three eastern Utah counties (Weber & Wittmann 2001; CRPTC 1999),
<br />with approximately 100 documented occurrences in Colorado (CNHP 2005). It was listed as
<br />threatened on October 11, 1979 at Federal Register 44(198):58868-58870. Primary threats
<br />include habitat destruction from mineral and energy development, water development, road
<br />building and maintenance. Additional threats include collecting, off-road vehicle use and
<br />recreational impacts, trampling by livestock, pesticide use, and natural processes such as
<br />disease, parisitism, predation, erosion, and competition from other vegetation (NatureServ
<br />2006). Populations occur on alluvial benches ("mesas"), generally on cobblely, gravelly, or rocky
<br />surfaces on river terrace deposits and lower mesa slopes (NatureServ 2006), and in clay
<br />badlands ("adobes') where lenses of coarse soils are present (Reeder pers. obs.). Soils are
<br />usually derived from Mancos shale with volcanic cobbles and pebbles on the surface (Reeder
<br />pers. obs.). Elevations range from about 4,500 to 6,000 feet (CRPTC 1999). Associated
<br />vegetation is typically desert scrub dominated by shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), galleta
<br />(Hilaria jamesiQ, black-sage (Artemesia nova), and Indian rice grass (Stipa hymenoides). No
<br />documented occurrences of Uinta Basin hookless cactus occur in or near the assessment areas
<br />(CNHP 2005). Although a small stretch of Munger Creek near its confluence with East Salt
<br />Creek has Mancos shale and alluvial soils (Figure 3), the microhabitat conditions and plant
<br />community were not suitable for Uinta Basin hookless cactus. Because Uinta Basin hookless
<br />cactus is not expected to occur within areas of permitted surface disturbance, and because no
<br />expansions of the areas of existing surface disturbance are planned as part of the proposed
<br />actions, no impacts to the species will occur.
<br />De Beaue phacelia (C) is known from the Atwell Gulch and Shire Members of the Wasatch
<br />Formation (CRPTC 1999). No Wasatch Formation soils occur in the permitted areas of surface
<br />disturbance (Figure 3). The nearest occurrence of De Beque phacelia is approximately 30 miles
<br />east near De Beque. Because De Beque phacelia is not known to occur on soils present in the
<br />areas of permitted surface disturbance, and because no expansions of the areas of existing
<br />March 27, 2006 15 Rare Earth Science, LLC
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