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~r February 2000 Summary Pa a 5-11 zone and requiring saturated soils throughout the growing season would likely be replaced, in part, by wetland or upland plants adapted to less hydric soil moisture regimes. Following cessation of underground mining activities, the abandoned workings would fill with water and be expected to recover to approximate conditions that existed prior to mining. When this occurs, spring and seep conditions would be expected to return to Hubbard Creek near the vicinity of the D coal seam subcrop. With the return of seep and spring flows, the wetlands of Hubbard Creek near the D coal seam subcrop would essentially revert to their pre-mining condition in terms of extent and overall function, diversity, and productivity. S-3.9 Terrestrial Wildlife Existing Conditions -The lease tract and exploration license areas occur within Colorado Division of Wildlife Game Management Unit 521. Mule deer, elk, black bear, and mountain lion occur within this area. Mule deer and elk populations within the area exhibit seasonal movements to and from higher to lower elevation habitats in response to weather patterns and snow cover. Habitat for water birds is restricted primarily to the North Fork of the Gunnison River, although there is some water bird habitat associated with Hubbard Creek, Terror Creek, and Terror Creek Reservoir. Use of the area for resting, feeding, or nesting by water birds is limited primarily to puddle ducks (such as mallard and teal), spotted sandpiper, and killdeer. Several species of raptors are known to occur and nest within the region. These inGude turkey vulture, northern harrier, golden eagle, Coopers hawk, sharp-skinned hawk, red-tailed hawk, prairie falcon, American kestrel, western screech owl, great homed owl, northern pigmy owl, long-eared owl, and northern saw-whet owl. Nest site preferences of raptors vary considerably, ranging from relatively large trees with open crowns or on cliff ledges and areas of rock outcrop. Nesting by a pair of golden eagles has been documented by the Forest Service in upper Hubbard Creek Canyon. A variety of songbird and similar species reside within the region. The majority of these species migrate south or to lower elevations for wintering months, and only a few species remain in the region during winter months. Woodpeckers, jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and finches are representative year-round residents. No identified critical habitat for any state or federally listed threatened or endangered species has been identified within or immediately surrounding the coal lease tracts or exploration license area. The bald eagle is present as a winter resident along the North Fork of the Gunnison River drainage. This drainage and adjacent habitats are designated as a winter concentration area and winter range for bald eagles, by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. There is also potential for tiger salamander and boreal toad to exist in wetland and riparian habitats, particularly along Hubbard Creek. Environmental Consequences -The construction of various borehole, shaft, and access road facilities would create approximately 33.5 acres of new surface disturbance in currently undisturbed areas of vegetation communities and wildlife habitats. The principal wildlife habitats to be affected would be oak brush and aspen habitats. Potential effects to species of concern are greatest with loss of aspen, Douglas fir, and cottonwood habitats, but most of these impacts can be avoided with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures. There would be road activity associated with the proposed exploration of the Iron Point area. This would include construction of approximately 3 miles of new temporary road and 4 miles of light reconstruction. In addition, there is a possibility of approximately 3 miles of new road construction within the Iron Point Coal Lease Tract on Forest Service lands to access proposed degasification boreholes. Potential impacts to deer and elk due to road construction and reconstruction would result from an increase in motorized travel in areas where none previously existed. This would also cause a Final Environmental Impact Statement