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immediately surrounding the mine location did not result in the identification of any noxious weeds. Infestation of the site could still occur if weed seeds are brought in from an off site area, either on mine equipment or as a result of public access to the mine site. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: Proposed Action -Noxious weeds could be introduced into the area via vehicles and machinery. Weeds could also be introduced in seed mixtures. The Plan does not provide any weed control measures. The lack of weed control activity could lead to the establishment of noxious weeds, as well as other invasive exotic species, on the majority of the disturbed sites. Preferred Action Alternative -Mandatory noxious weed control is required on the mine site and access roads used by the operator for the life of the Plan in accordance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act and Montrose County weed requirements. The operator would be required to submit a Pesticide Use Proposal to the BLM prior to noxious weed control for approval to use herbicides on public land. If vehicles and equipment are taken over areas infested with noxious weeds, vehicles and equipment would be cleaned with high pressure spray equipment before moving to reduce the potential of moving noxious weed seed onto the mine site. Some increase in invasive and noxious weed species could still take place. No Action Alternative -Weed populations/invasion on the site would not be effected by the proposed mining activity MIGRATORY BIRDS Affected Environment: The proposed mining activity area provides habitat for migratory bird species that typically use pinyon-juniper/shrub/grass communities. The priority species considered during this analysis are those found in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Birds of Conservation Concern (USFWS 2002). Evaluations are based on data found in the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas (Kingery 1998), and the species shown below are those known to breed in the area and for which there is suitable habitat. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) -Golden eagles utilize a wide range of habitats to hunt, roost and raise young. Suitable mixes of sagebrush and cliffs, and vast expanses of open range with high populations of rabbits can support large populations (Kingery 1998). Habitat suitable for nesting occurs in the nearby Paradox Valley or Dolores River Canyon, but no nests or nesting habitat were observed within a 0.5-mile buffer around the proposed project area. Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) -Occupied nests for this species are located within the nearby Paradox Valley and Dolores River Canyon areas. Occasional foraging could take place around the proposed mine location. No nesting habitat is located within one mile of the proposed mining activity. Prairie Falcon- (Falco mexicanus) -Occupied nests for this species are located within the nearby Paradox Valley and Dolores River Canyon. Occasional foraging could take place around the project location. No nesting habitat is located within one mile of the gravel mining area. l0