Laserfiche WebLink
old if climatic conditions are severe or there is a late hatch. They <br />metamorphose and leave the ponds from late July to early September in the <br />mountains. <br />Suitable habitat ie presently limiting within the project area due to the <br />impacts of gravel mining upon aquatic and riparian habitat within the <br />floodplain. Upon reviewing old photographs of the project area, it is <br />apparent that other suitable habitat was available prior to gravel mining <br />operations, but that most of this habitat has been lost to extensive <br />erosion. Suitable habitat is available within the river floodplain outside <br />the impacted area. Restoration of the river ecosystem would result in a <br />beneficial effect to amphibians such as the tiger salamander through <br />increased available habitat. <br />American bittern - Botaurus lent Yinoeus <br />Forest Service sensitive species <br />The American bittern has a patchy distribution throughout North America. <br />Breeding bird surveys indicate bittern populations have declined in the <br />midwest and northeast but trends are stable in the east and western US, <br />including Colorado. Forest species lists indicate that the American <br />bittern does occur on the GMUG National Forest. There have been no site <br />specific surveys conducted to determine the presence of this species within <br />the project area. <br />The American bittern is associated with freshwater and brackish wetlands. <br />Nesting occurs in freshwater marshes, rules, and reedy ponds. Suitable <br />habitat is presently limiting within the project area due to the impacts of <br />gravel mining upon aquatic and riparian habitat within the floodplain. <br />Upon reviewing old photographs of the project area, it is apparent that <br />wetland habitat existed at the confluence prior to gravel mining <br />operations, but that most of this habitat has been lost to extensive <br />erosion. Suitable habitat is available within the river floodplain <br />upstream from the impacted area. Restoration of the river ecosystem would <br />provide backwater areas, ponds, and wetlands resulting in a beneficial <br />effect to the American bittern through increased available habitat. <br />Deteraunation <br />As a result of this biological evaluation I have determined that the <br />proposed action will have no effect upon the bald eagle, Mexican spotted <br />owl, or southwestern willow flycatcher. If successfully implemented, the <br />proposed action could result in beneficial effects to the southwestern <br />willow flycatcher through restoration of suitable habitat within the <br />currently degraded river ecosystem. <br />I have also determined that the proposed action will result in beneficial <br />effects to the leopard frog, tiger salamander, and American bittern within <br />the planning area. If successfully implemented, the proposed action would <br />restore lost wetland habitat for these species within a currently degraded <br />river ecosystem. <br />References <br />US Fish and Wildlife Service, 3~24~95. General species list for the GMUG <br />National Forest by geographic area. <br />US Forest Service, 323194. Sensitive species list for the GMUG National <br />17 <br />