GENERAL41872 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

burning, and herbicide application. WILDLIFE The proposed lease modi6catiar area is diverse in wildlife habitats. Although the proposed modification area is primarily composed of the mountain shrub type vegetative community, portions are also covered by pinon juniper and pasture types as well. The proposed modification area is located in important winter range for deer and elk. THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES In following the guidelines of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, a search was made for threatened, endangered, or sensitive (TES) plant species in the project area. No federal TES species aze known to exist in the project survey area. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ecological Services Office in Grand Junction, Colorado, 3 TES and 1 candidate plant species have the potential to occur in La Plata County. Knowlton's cactus (Pediocacrus knowlronii) and Mancos milkvetch (Astragalus humillin:us) are listed endangered species. Mesa Verde cactus (Sclerocactus mesa-verde) is listed threatened, and Sleeping Ute milkvetch (Astragalus tortipes) is a candidate species for listing. No Know ton's cactus, Mesa Verde cactus, Mancos milkvetch, Sleeping Ute milkvetch, or any other sensitive flora species aze known to occur on the lands above the proposed lease modification azea. Additionally, based on previous biological descriptions of the project area, no habitat exists for any of these TES flora species in the project azea. According to the USFWS, 7 listed fauna species have potential to occur in La Plata County. These aze the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailli extimus), the endangered Black-footed ferret (Mustelo nigripes), the endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Prychocheiluslucius), the endangered Humpback chub (Gila cypha), the endangered Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), the threatened Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucicephalus), the threatened Mexican spotted owl (Stria occidentalis lucida), and the candidate Western boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas). The recently delisted Peregrine falcon (Falco pereginus) is also known to occur in La Plata County and may incidentally occur in or near the project area. Of the federally listed fauna species with potential to occur in La Plata County, only the Bald eagle is known [o occur in or near the project area. No listed fish species occur in the project area as there are no perennial surface water resources present. Waterdepletionsore not expected, and therefore there will not be any impact on listed fish species. The Western boreal toad is only known to occur above 8,000 feet in elevation; [he project is at less than 7,500 feet in