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Pikeview ()uarry Environmental Assessment Page 38 Additional wildlife information at the proposed site was provided in the Pikeview Quarry Permit Amendment15 (Exhibit I-n. Although a tour of the undisturbed portion of the site found tto trace of wildlife with the exception of a few squirrels, black beaz and mountain lion have been spotted at the site by quarry employees. Bighorn sheep are rarely seen in the area as they prefer open habitat and aze frequently sighted at the Queens Canyon Quarry area, to the south of the Pikeview Quarry. Revegetation of portions of the quarry in recent years leas produced an increase in the frequency of mule deer seen on the site. 3.3.5 Threatened and Endangered Species The biological evaluation to assess the potential for impacts to federally listed Threatened or Endangered species resulting from the proposed mining and reclamation activities on National Forest System lands is included in this Environmental Assessment :ts Appendix I:. The biological evaluation provides an analysis and detertnination of direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the proposed project on federally listed species, species proposed fr~r listing, sensitive species, and essential habitat. None of the federally listed species and species proposed for listing discussed in detail in the biological evaluation are likely to be found in the proposed project azea due to the absence of suitable habitat. In most cases, habitat conditions at the site were found to be limited by :Factors such as elevation and vegetation. In the particular case of the Mexican spotted owl, although the National Forest System lands affected by the proposed project and surroundin;; azeas have been classified as suitable habitat for the Mexican spotted owl by the Colorado Division of Wildlife Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS) and have been designated as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, field investigation indicated t}te absence of coniferous forest, narrow canyon habitat, and north-facing slopes at the proposed site and thus excluded the potential occurrence of this species. Because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not yet completed their review of the Biological Evaluation and rendered a biological opinion about the impact of the proposed project on this species or its habitat, the final decision regazding the proposed layback at Pikeview Quarry will be contingent upon the U.S. Fish and Wildlife decision and requirements. . The flatrtmulated owl, a sensitive species found in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, is associated with mature to old growth ponderosa pine/Douglas fir forests along the Rocky Mountains. The three-toed woodpecker, also a sensitive species found in the Pike and San Istlbel National Forests, is associated with mature or old growth spruce fir, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and lodgepole pine. Although the flammulated owls and three- toed Woodpeckers have not been observed near the Pikeview Quarry, the National Forest System lands adjacent to the quarry may provide suitable habitat for these species. The Colorado hog-nose skunk, a sensitive species found in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, occurs in southeastern and south-central Colorado. It is found in 15 Amendment Number Two to Permit Number M-77-21 I (Pikeview Quazry). Hydrosphere Resource Consultanu, 1002 Walnut Street Suite 200, Boulder, CO 60302 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1