GENERAL39413 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Federal lands which are high priority habitat for migratory bird species of high federal interest on a regional or national basis, as determined jointly by the surface management agency and the Fish and Wildlife Service, shall be considered unsuitable. ' • 1 . Exception. A lease may be issued where the surface management agency, aher consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service, determines that all or certain stipulated methods of coal mining will not adversely affect the migratory bird habitat during the periods when such habitat is used by the species. Analysis The following list of migratory bird species of high Federal andlor State interest are known, or considered likely, to breed and nest within the review area or vicinity: Band-tailed pigeon Lewis' woodpecker Black swift Peregrine falcon Cooper's hawk Prairie falcon Flammulated owl Western bluebird Golden eagle Williamson's sapsucker Great blue heron Northern Goshawk. Loggerhead Shrike -hree-coed Woodpecker Also. a total of eighty-six species of neotropical migrant birds are known to breed or migrate regularly through some part of Colorado. Recent studies in Colorado conclude that 47 % of these neotropical migrant species are declining in numbers. The study also showed that riparian communities, followed by Gambel oak communities support the highest number of breeding bird. Underground coal mining would impact these species to the degree that the human and surface- disturbing activities would impact their breeding and nesting activities and habitats in riparian ' and Gamble oak communities. Of particular high importance are the riparian areas throughout the review area, specifically in Box canyon. Riparian areas are suitable for coal leasing only with inclusion of the following special stipulation to Orotect the above mentioned migratory bird species: A 7 /8 mile buffet zone (660 h.l will be protected on either side of riparian zones_(or a buffer zone may be established in accordance with the surface management agency guidelines). 2. No surface disturbances, except surface subsidence, will be permitted within these buffer zones, unless no practical alternatives exist. 3. All unavoidable surface disturbance will reduire approval of the USFS or BLM's Authorized Officer, after consultation with both the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife to determine the type and extent of allowable variances. A site specific analyses will determine if this stipulation will apply. Criterion t 5 Federal lands wnich the surface management agency and the stata jointly agree are habitat for resident species of fish, wildlife and plants of high interest to the state and which are essential for maintaining these priority wildlife and plan[ species shall be considered unsuitable. Examples of such lands which serve a critical function for the species involved include: lil active dancing and strur~ng grounds for sage grouse, sharp•[aded grouse, and prairie chicken. (ii) winter ranges crucial for deer, antelope, and eik. .• ~. migration corridor for elk, and (ivl extremes of range for plant species. Appendix I, Page 8