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west aspect. The riparian community is found along Hubbard Creek. The community varies in width from 20 to 120 feet. The dominant overstory species is willow. Boxelder and Alder are also found in the overstory. The understory dominants are Canada thistle, Redtop, Kentucky bluegrass, and sedges. Due to the mining operation, much of the riparian community had been disturbed down to the edge of Hubbard Creek which allowed the Canada thistle to establish. The riparian azea has now been reclaimed. The disturbed azeas occupy about 20 acres of the permit azea. These azeas had been disturbed by the past mining operation and were mostly bare ground. Fish and Wildlife -Rule 2.04.11 More information regazding Fish and Wildlife resources can be found in the permit application in Section 2.04.11. Methods used for gathering site-specific wildlife information included an extensive literature search and an on-site field reconnaissance. The literature review of wildlife in the vicinity of the Blue Ribbon Mine was obtained from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Land Management, and the U. S. Forest Service. A potential wildlife species list and species status for the Blue Ribbon Mine area was obtained from the Ecological Services section of the Division of Wildlife. The list can be found in Appendix B of the permit application. A reconnaissance of the Blue Ribbon Mine permit area was conducted July 30 and 31, 1981. The purpose of the reconnaissance was to inventory the wildlife habitats and some of the species present on the site. The on-site reconnaissance consisted of a general qualitative overview of the area. General observations of mammal, avian, amphibian and reptile species were recorded over the two-day period. The Blue Ribbon Mine is located within an area that is important for migrating and wintering mule deer and elk. There is a resident deer population that uses the area yeaz round. Other big game species in the azea are the mountain lion, which is fairly common in rimrock areas, and the black beaz, which can be found at higher elevations. Habitats azound the Blue Ribbon Mine appeaz favorable for medium-sized and small mammals. Species observed include the cottontail rabbit, least chipmunk, Rock squirrel, Golden-mantled ground squirrel, Pocket gopher, beaver, and muskrat. Other common medium-sized and small mammals in the azea probably include the coyote, long-tailed weasel, raccoon, striped skunk, badger, porcupine, deer mouse, long-tailed vole, Western jumping mouse, various game buds and waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, and the leopazd frog. The Blue Ribbon Mine is located within the migratory corridor of the Gray's Lake experimental group of Whooping Cranes; however, it has been reported that the cranes do not utilize this azea of 7