|
In 1996, a baseline vegetation study of the Sylvester Gulch facilities azea was conducted. The
<br />report is presented in Exhibit 32A of the permit document. The study azea for the baseline
<br />survey incorporated the lower drainage basin of Sylvester Gulch from the mine access road south
<br />approximately 1.75 miles along the drainage. The three lower drainage branches of Sylvester
<br />Gulch were included. The study area was a linear corridor, including the drainage bottom,
<br />terraces and sideslopes, averaging 300 feet wide. The study azea also included the steep slope
<br />west of the Sylvester Gulch channel and north of the Dry Meadow Reference Area.
<br />Five major vegetation communities were identified in the Sylvester Gulch facilities expansion
<br />area are: oakbtush, aspen, riparian dry meadow, and Douglas fir communities. The ftrst three of
<br />these communities were sampled for vegetative cover, vegetative productivity, woody plant
<br />density and species composition. The dry meadow community was found to be significantly
<br />altered by cattle grazing within the study area. Since this community had been sampled
<br />previously, no further data was collected. The Douglas fir community was anticipated to be
<br />impacted to a minor degree with disturbance in this community limited to less than five percent
<br />of the affected area. Therefore, no quantitative data was collected for the Douglas Fir
<br />community.
<br />Fish and Wildlife -Rule 2.04.11
<br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most predominant are mule deer,
<br />American elk, and black beaz. Other species include: coyotes, long-tailed weasels, desert
<br />cottontails, snowshoe haze, beaver, raccoon, Red squirrel, woodrat, ringtails, yellow marmots,
<br />ermine, skunk, muskrat, badger, porcupine, bobcat, white-tailed jackrabbit, marten, mink, red
<br />fox, grey fox, spotted skunk, deer mouse, long-tailed vole, golden-mantled ground squirrel,
<br />chipmunk, red-backed vole, rock squirrel, western jumping mouse, masked shrew, wandering
<br />shrew, vazious songbirds, upland gamebirds, waterfowl, and raptors.
<br />There is no designated critical habitat on the study area. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service
<br />has proposed 2,094 river miles of the Colorado River and its tributazies as critical habitat for the
<br />Colorado Squawfish, Razorback sucker, Humpback chub, and Bonytail chub. These species, on
<br />the Federal and State candidate and listed species, have the potential of occurring on the study
<br />area, or could be affected by a lease and subsequent coal development. None of the fishes occur
<br />on the study area, or in the North Fork of the Gunnison River.
<br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife has established a corridor along the North Fork of the
<br />Gunnison River for use by the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is a common winter
<br />visitor to Colorado. BLM inventories conducted in 1978 through 1980, and monitoring flights
<br />conducted through 1985, did not locate any roost or nest sites, or areas of winter concentration on
<br />or near the study area. The possibility exists for nesting to occur along the North Fork of the
<br />Gunnison River.
<br />Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), Federal category 2 species, use has not been recorded
<br />on the study azea, although potential breeding and nesting habitat is present. Loggerhead shrikes
<br />aze dependent upon sagebrush and gambel oak shrub communities for breeding and nesting
<br />habitat in this region during spring and summer. They are uncommon in the area during winter.
<br />34
<br />
|