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CHAPTERTHREE uifecte.d Environment Parachute Site The Parachute Site is located within mule deer winter range and severe winter rmge (BLM 1998d, CDOW 1998). Although the industrial portions of the property provide no habitat value, other portions of the property are important habitat. The Unocal agricultural lands are considered to be a high value habitat azea, which provides critical nutrition in early spring and late fall (BLM 1998d). Elk Elk in the study area are part of the Yellow Creek herd, which summers along the Piceance Rim (south edge of Piceance Basin) and Roan Plateau westwazd to Utah. Due to its limited extent, summer range in this area is considered crucial habitat, with particular emphasis on water and aspen and spruce pockets needed for elk cover and production (BLM 1994, 1998d). Most elk winter in the Piceance Creek and Roan Creek drainages, with only small numbers wintering along Pazachute Creek. Elk have greatly increased their population in this azea itr recent yeazs. Figure 3.8-2 identifies elk habitats in the study area. The definitions of important habitat types aze similar to those defined for mule deer and include winter range, winter concentration areas, and summer range. The Piceance Site and all of the pipeline corridor to the Rio BlancofGa~eld County line is elk winter range. In addition, about six miles of the pipeline across the Piceance Rim area (MPs I9.5 to 25.5) crosses a winter concentration area (CDOW 1998). Elk winter range is also present in Parachute Creek Valley and would be crossed in the section from MPs 30 to 35.5 (CDOW 1998). The area along the pipeline from about one mile south of the Garfield County line: to Davis Point (MPs 25.5 to 30) is elk summer range and, therefore, critical habitat (BLM 1994). The Parachute Site is not in elk range. Mountain Lion Seasonal use areas for mountain lion coincide with those for mule deer, their primary prey. Average mountain lion density in the Piceance Basin is estimated to be about four lions per 100 square miles (BLM 1986a). Black Bear A stable population of 10 to 20 black bear inhabit the Piceance Basin's higher elevations, although individual bear appear infrequently on low elevation pinyon juniper ranges (BLM 1986a). The pipeline would cross black bear habitat between Piceance Creek and Davis Point. The Piceance and Parachute Sites are outside the normal range of black bear. 3.8.2 Raptors Raptors inhabit the Piceance Basin on ayear-round basis. Common breeders include American kestrel, long-eared owl, great homed owl, golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, and Cooper's hawk (BLM 1986a). Rough-legged hawks, northern harriers, and bald eagles 3-34 Wildlrfe