2006-06-12_REVISION - M1978314 (2)

Home Browse Search

GREATER SAGE-GROi1SE: The King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine proposed pit expansion rosy have the following actual and potential impacts on Greater Sage-Grouse and their habitat in the Five Pines Mesa area: habitat loss and fragmentation, reduction of habitat quality, population decline and associated species ptrsistwce concerns, reduced productivity, increased predation. and mortality rate, and increase in noxious weeds. Amore detailed analysis follows. The activity proposed by King Mountain Sand dt Gravei Mine wiIl result in the loss of vahtable sage-grouse habitat located oa the property as well as loss of habitats located in close proximity to and within the cheated disturbance zone of the proposed operation. The proposed site and its' associated disturbance zone is located entirely within the following critical habitats fm Greats Sage-Cmouse: brooding habitat and pcoductiaa- areas (le]rs/strutting grounds, prelaying habitat, nesting habitat, earlybrood-rearing habits; and s~amrta latebrood- rearinghabitat), summa range, transition range and winter range. Loss of these vahrable habitats could potentially result in significant deterioration of the Greats Sage-Grouse populaton in South Routt County. Furthermore, reduction in habitat availability and populatao decline could insult in the population being more sensitive end vulnerable to natural proa:sses Ir7te drought and West NtTe Vitus resulting in an accelerated rate of population decline. . The current population fa Greats Sage-Grouse in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties is believed to be somewhere between 304.489 birds. CDORr data indicates the Greater Sage~irouse population in Southern Rartt and Northern Eagle Counties has declined since the late 1950x. We are coneerned that this decline will continue. Further induction in sagr-grouse numbers will seriously compromise the long-term viability of the Greats Sage~'irouse in Southern Routt and Northern Eagle Counties Therefore, t1;e protection of critical Greater Sage-Grouse habitats is as essential component to ensuring the stavival of Greats Sage-Grouse m South Routt County. Because the Greats Sage-Grouse poprlaton in Southern Routt and Nathan Eagle Counties is a small and relatively isolated population, the population has ao increased vtrhterability to long- term lose of habitat and a greater srurceph'bility for localized extirpation The proposed 20.year lifespan of the King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine could potentially outlive sage-grouse in South Routt Canty. While the applicant has proposed that the muting operation wtTi occur m four separate phases and only Include 184 acres of the tota1341 acres with no mar than 67 acres being disturbed at any givat time, there is a broads zone of disturbance. Greats Sage-Grouse are vulnerable to disturbance, particularly nesting hats. Greats Sage-C,couse have a low nest success rate. If the hen is disturbed, neat abandaunent is not uncommon. Greater Sage~'reouse will in-nest; however, research indicates that rs-aestarB attampb by sage-grouse can be infrequent and typically results in a smalls clutch sine. 77tere are also sigioi5cant eaagetie costs associated with stress that may weaken individuals making than more vulnerable to disease and other external facial. Ultimately, this increase in disturbance cotild potentially limit and reduce sage-grouse production in the area of the pit as well as in nestarg areas along the county roads Because of the increase in pit siu and production, there will ]x an increased volume of truck traffic on the county roads. Greats Snge-Grouse in Ure Fivc Pines area often utilize habitats adjacrnt to county roads. This is particularly true on Routt County Road 3 ova Five Pines Mesa where broods are often observed. High use of this area is most lr7rely due to the proxirmty of the Five Pines Mesa Ditch. Any increase in vehicular traffic on these county roads could potentially increase the Greater Snge-Grouse mortality rate as a result from 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 Sharp- tailed Grouse ]ales, the noise associated with the operation could affect ffie acoustical quality of those tales. Any reduction in acoustical delivery could result is lows leY attendance, tale abaadantttent, and reduced grouse reproduedon. The soil and vegetative distrabances that will result from the King Mountain Sand dt Gravel Mine will increase the potential far noxious weeds. Invasion of noxious weeds can have a significant impact on the native grass and forb understory in sagebrush communities Changes tb the grass and fob umderstory can significantly affect availability and nutritional quality of food for sage-grouse.