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E. Climate and Air Qualit The climate can be described as having moderate summer artd cold winter temperatures and receiving a moderate amount of precipitation. Maximum summer temperatures generally do not exceed 90' F; winter low temperatures are frequently less than 15' F. Annual precipitation is variable ranging from 7 to 25 inches. The town of Paonia averages around 15 inches of precipitation annually. West winds predominate, however, there is a noticeable diurnal wind pattern of upslope during the day and downslope at night. Air quality in the vicinity of the application lands is typical of undeveloped regions in the western United States; ambient pollutant levels are usually near or below thc: measurable limits. Notable exceptions in the Delta County area include high, short-term concentrations of total suspended particulates related to local winds, ozone, non-methane hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, especially in communities. Average visibility is about 54 miles with greatest visibility occurring during spring and summer months. This portion of the North Fork of the Gunnison River has been designated as a Class II area. There are no major stationary sources of air pollution in the immediate vicinity, nor is the train and vehicular traffic along the North Fork of the Gunnison River of a magnitude so as to constitute a significant source of air pollution. There is coal dust generated from existing mines. F. Wildlif Wildlife consists of species associated with the mountain shrub and pinyon/juniper vegetation zones. The south escarpment of the North Fork of the Gunnison River, below 6800 feet elevation, is considered elk winter range. No critical winter range or winter concentration areas, for deer or elk, are located on the application area. Critical winter range for elk does exists to the north IUSFS maps). Golden eagles use this area as hunting habitat during summer. No nest sites are known to be present at this time. BLM inventories conducted from 1978 to 1980 and monitoring flights through 1985, did not locate any nest or roost sites. USFS records do not indicate the presence of any nest sites. However, the potential does exists for some nesting to occur in the future. Black bear use the area particularly in the spring, when green-up first occurs, and in the fall when foods with high carbohydrate concentrations, primarily berries and acorns, are available. A number of other small birds, small mammals, reptiles, and raptors are dependent on the mountain shrub and pinion-juniper habitat types on the review area. Blue grouse have been documented on the area, but no specific portions of the area have been identified as highly important for this species. Eighty-six species of neotropical birds are known to breed or migrate regularly through some part of Colorado. Recent studies in Colorado conclude that 41 °h of neotropical migrant bird species are declining in numbers. Riparian communities followed by Gamble oak communities support the highest number of breeding birds. Riparian areas along the North Fork of the Gunnison River and up the smaller side canyons of this area, such as Box canyon, Gribble Gulch, and Sylvester Gulch, are extremely important for the following bird species of high federal interest: Bend tailed pigeon Lewis' woodpecker Flammuleted owl Black swih Prairie lelcon Williemson's sapsucker Cooper's hawk Western bluebird Great blue heron Golden eagle Peregrine falcon Northern Goshawk Loggerhead Shrike Three toed Woodpecker These bird species depend heavily on the riparian vegetation, particularly stands of cottonwoods, aspens, and larger Gambel oaks for food, cover, and nesting habitat. Such stands of riparian vegetation provide islands in the surrounding stands of mountain shrub and pinion-juniper habitat and are very Page 7