GENERAL34705 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

r immediate vicinity is a scattered group of inactive burrow:: found on a 10--acre floodplain terrace area about 750 feet north of the proposed lease tract. Approximately 15 acres of alluvial terrace in the northwest corner of the tract remains uninventoried. Bald Eagles inhabit the White River's riverine riparian habitats, immediately south of the tract, from October through Apri]L. Upland activities are relegated to opportunistic and dispersed foraging flights from roost and perch sites on the river. No concentrated or preferred use areas for eagles have been identified in Red Wash. Although peregrine falcons and whooping cranes regularly migrate through the Rangely area, no habitats available on the lease tract are considered capable of attracting sustained use by these birds. Endemic threatened and endangered fishes inhabiting the upper Colorado River Basin, of which the White River is part, include the listed Colorado squawfish, bonytail and humpback chubs, and candidate razorback sucker. Each of these species have downstream populations in the Green River and Colorado River above Lake Powell. Only the Colorado squawfish is documented as occurring in the White River. Until recently, the squawfish inhabited the White River from its confluence with the Green River upstream to the mouth of Piceance Creek (RH 148.2). With the closing of Taylor Draw Dam iri November 1984, squawfish distribution is generally confined downstream of the dam (RH 104.2), about 5 miles downstream of Red Wash. The importance of the White River to endemic fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin Lies in its flaw contribution to the Green River. Although no squawfish larvae have ever appeared in collections from the White River in Colorado, and spawning is not suspected, it is believed that major Green River tributaries, such as the White River, exert a strong influence on downstream endemic fish populations by maintaining flow patterns conducive to :~uccessEul reproduction and larvae development. Cultural Approximately one-half of the application area has been inventoried. A total of 51 sites, 46 isolated finds, and 15 localities have been recorded within and immediately adjacent to the mine permit and lease application area as being of cultural and/or historic nature. No sites within the lease application area have been identifi_e_d as potential-- ly 1 Bible _f or the Natrona egi-~ ster of Historic Sites. Visual The landform of this tract lacks diversity, is composed of flat to rolling hills and is sparsely vegetated. The entire area rates a VRH Class IV with medium sensitivity and low scenic quality. Paleontolor;y The Hinor Coal Unit (Iles) contains pelecypods, leaf impressions, fossil plants, ammonites, and Inoceramus clams. 10