2006-06-14_REVISION - M1978314 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GREATER SAGE-GROUSE: The King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine proposed pit expansion may have the following aslant and potential impacts on Greater Sage-Grouse and their habitat in the Five Pines Mesa arcs: habitat losx and fragtnenfatioq reduction of habitat quality, population decline and associated species persistence concerns, reduced productivity, increased predation. and mortality rate, and atcrease in noxious weeds. Amore detailed analysis follows. Tht activity proposed by King Mountain Sand t@ Gravel Mine wiII result in the loss of vahtable sage-grouse habitat located on the properly as well as loss of habitats located 6t close proximity to and within the crieated disturbance zone of the proposed operation. The proposed site and its' associated disturbance cone is located entirely within the following critical habitats for Cheater Sage-Grtouse: brading habitat and prodactioa areas Qeks/struttirtg grounds, prelaying habitat, nesting habitat, ear}y bmod-rearing habitat, and surrmrtr late brood- rearing lutbitat), summer range, transition range and winter range. Lose ofthese valuable habitats could potentially rault in significant deterioration of the Ctteater Sage-Grouse population in South ltoutt County. Furthemtore, reduction is heMtat availability and population decline could result is the population being more sensitive aztd vulnerable to natural processes lt7ce drought end West Nile Virus resuttmg in an accelerated rate of populatoa decline. The current population for Greats Sage-Grouse in Southern Route and Northern Eagle Counties is believed to be smtxwhere between 304.489 birds. CROW data indicates the Greats Sage-Grouse population in Southern Rotrtt and Northern Eagle Counties has declined since the late 1950e. We are concerned that this derliae will continue. Further reduction in sags-grouse numbers will seriously compromise the long-term viabt7ity of the Greater Sage~irouse in Southern Aoutt and Northam Eagle Counties. Therefore, the protection of critical Greater Sage-Grouse habitats is an essential component to ensuring the survival of Greater Sage-Grouse in South Routt County. Because the Greater Sage-Grouse population in Southern Routs sad Narthem Eagle Counties is a small and relatively isolated population, the population has ea increased vulnerability to long- term loss of habitat and a grate suseeph'bility for localized extitpatita. The proposed 20.year lifespan of the King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine could potentially outlive sage-grouse in South Routt cotmty. While the applicant has proposed that the mining operation wffl nests in four separate phases and only include 184 acres of the total 341 acres with ao more Chart 67 acres being disturbed at any given bate, there is a broads zone of disturbance. Greater Sage-Grouse arc vulnerable to disgrcbaace, particularly nesting hens. Greater Sage-Grouse have a low nest success rate. 7f the hen is disturbed, neat abandonment is not uncormnaq. Greater Sage-Grouse will re-nest; however, raeatch indicates that re-nea~g attempts by sage-grouse can be infrequent and typically rsstlts in a smaller clutch size. These ors also significant energetic costs associated with stress that may weaken individuals making them more vu}aerabk fn disease and other extenal f~tors. Ultimately, this increase in disturbance could potentially limit and reduce sage-grouse production is the arses of the pit as well as in nesting areas along the county roads Because of the increase in pit siu sad production, there will be an increased volume of truck traffic ~ the county roads. Greater Sage-Grosse in the Five Pines area often utilize habitats adjacrnt to county roads. This is particularly true on Routt County Road 3 ova Five Pines Mesa when broods are often observed. High use of this area is most likely due to the proximity of the Five Pines Mesa Ditch. Any iruTease in vehicular traffic oa these county roads could potentially increase the Greater Sage-Grouse mortality rate as a result frota birds being unintentionally injured or killed by vehicles. Due to the close proximity of the proposed pit to several active Greater Sage-Grouse and Columbian Shatp- tailed Grouse lake, the noise associated with the operation could affect the acoustical quality of those leks. Any reduction in acoustical delivery could result m lower lek attendance, lek abandonment, and reduced grouse reproduction. The soil and vegetative disttabances that will result from the King Mountain Sand 8< Gravel Mine will increase the potential for noxious weeds. Invasion of noxious weeds can Have a significant impact on the native grass and fort understory in sagebrush communities. Changes to the gross and forb understory can significantly affect availability and nutritional quality of food far sage-grouse.