2006-06-12_REVISION - M1978314 (2)

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processing plan; asphalt plan; and comerete plant. She petitioner indicated that there will not be any designated chemicak oracid-producing materials that will be used or stored on site. ' EXISTING WII.DLIFE & HABITAT CONDITIONS: GENERAL COMIviEN'TS: King Mountain Sand & Grave] Mine is located in rural South Routt County, The area is primarily agricultural rangeland, which also provides a large and relatively undisturbed landscape for wildlife. The existing pit has created soi! and vegetation disturbance that has resulted in habitat loss and reduced habitat value at that immediate location. Habitat fiagmentation has occurred on a very limited scale. County roads bisect the property on the south and border it to the west. These county' roads receive very light vehicular traffic as only a few residences and ranches are scattered throughout the area. The tnajeaity of the habitat near die proposed project is predoariaantly sagebrush-grass rangeland 'The pleat comrmurity is comprised ptimatity of mountain big sagebnrsh and wheatgtasa. Other species irnebrde rabbitbrush, junegrass, bluegrass, smooth biome and fescue: The sagebrush comrnunitiea aramd Toponas and up onto Five pines Mesa constitute some of the best remaining sage-grouse habitat in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties. There are also some minor ripariea areas on the proposed site that am associated .. with Smith and Ege[ia Creeks which converge on the south end of the propeRy. Sagebrush communities in southern Routt County provide vahrable habitats far numerous species. The following list idrntifiea a few of those species; however, this list is not intended to be all-inclusive. MAMMALS • Elk, arule deer, mountain lion, coyote,. rod fax, badges, white-tailed jaelaabbi; Wyoming ground squirrel, sagebrush vole, etc. ' BIRDS • Greats Sage-Grouse, Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse, Great-Homed Owl, Red- ' tailed Rawly Golder Eagle, Brewers Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-Bt7led Magpie, etc. REPTII,FS • Western terrestrial arter snake Currently; there are no known wildlife species that have been idrntified as a threatened or endangered species by the CI)OW or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (LTSFWS) that regularly use the habitats on and adjacent to the proposed pit A few species warrant specific attention due to other species designations. • Elk and mule deer are both species of economic importance and the proposed project is part of the overall summer range and transition range for these species. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse are listed as Species of Special Concern by the CROW. While Northwestern Colorado boasts one of the best sharp-tailed grouse populations across its range, Cohumbian Sharp-tailed Grouse have bem declaring across their range artd have been extirpated from large parts of its forma range. On October 14, 2004, the USFWS was petitioned to list the bird as a threatrned or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This petition is currently undo review. The King Mountain Sand & Grave] Mine is located within winter range and overall range for Columbian Sharp- tailed Grouse and lice towards the southwest edge of the largest production complex for sharp-tailed grouse in southern Routt County. • Greater Sage Grouse are listed as a Species of Special Concern by the CROW. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has received multiple petitions to list the Greater Sage-Grouse as threatened or rndangered. On Apri115, 2004, the USFWS released a 90-L7ay fording that determined that "substantial biological information exists to warrant a more in-depth examination of the status of the Greats Sago-