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CRAPTERTHREE Affected Environment Designated critical habitat for humpback chub and bonytai] chub is farther downstream. Colorado squawfish occw in the White River. The White River downstream from Rio Blanco Lake, including the confluence with Piceance Creek, is designated critical habitat for all Colorado River endangered fish species (BLM 1998d). Black-footed ferret may have occurred historically in lower elevation portions of the Project Area. Currently there aze no wild populations in Colorado, and no aeeas of suitable habitat (lazge prairie dog towns) present in the study azea. Mexican spotted owl have not been reported in the study azea, although suitable habitat is present, mostly in the upper drainages of Parachute Creek (BLM 1994, 1998d), Other Special Status Animal Species ' Sage grouse. Sage grouse in the Piceance Basin predominantly use sagebrush habitats; females also tend to use servicebeny, presumably for nesting activities (Figwe 3.10-1). Several types of seasonal activity areas aze important to sage grouse. Leks are open areas usually located in low sagebrush, where sage grouse traditionally display and breed. Nesting usually occws within two miles of a lek. Meadows, springs, ponds, and streams aze important brood rearing areas. Winter range is areas where sage grouse over-winter and is generally smaller than summer range. The number of active Leks has decreased greatly in the Piceance Basin, and only nine of 35 historic leks were active in 1997 (CDOW 1997 unpublished data). Piceance and Parachute Sites Sage grouse do not regularly occw in these areas, and no important habitats are present. Pipeline Corridor Sage grouse habitat is present at two locations along the pipeline corridor (Figure 3.10-1). A production (nesting) area, brood azea, and wintering area is present neaz the Greasewood Compressor Station (CDOW 1998) from about MP 7.5 to 8.5, A lek is located about one mile east of the pipeline route. The status of this lek is uncleaz since the number of males displaying is low and lekking activities aze disrupted by vehicles (CDOW 1997 unpublished data). The population in this area is isolated and low density. ' Production habitat, brood areas, and wintering habitat is also present in the Barnes Ridge azea from MP 20.5 to 29 (CDOW 1998). CDOW personnel (CDOW 1997 unpublished data) recorded two active leks in this azea in 1997. The Bragg Spring lek is located about one mile west of the pipeline (Figwe 3.10-2). The Stewart Gulch lek is at a new site approximately 0.8 miles north of the historic site (Bio-Resowces 1995), and is crossed by the existing natwal gas pipeline comdor that would be followed by the Yankee Gulch Project pipeline. The largest numbers of males present in 1997 were nine at Bragg Spring and three at Stewart Gulch. Several historic satellite Leks aze located between the Bragg Spring and Stewart Gulch Leks, about one- halfmile from the pipeline route (Bio-Resowces 1995). The Stewart lek has moved due to human activities or habitat alteration associated with pipeline installation. It originally was ~~ located at T4S R97W Section 10 N '/z but has moved fwther north on the ridge. The futwe of Threatened and Endangered Species 3-41