Laserfiche WebLink
March 2000 Record of Decision Page 8 <br />5. If there is reason to believe that new individuals or populations of Threatened or <br />Endangered, or Sensitive (TES) species of plants or animals, or migratory bird species of high <br />Federal interest occur in the area, the Lessee shall be required to conduct an intensive field <br />inventory of the area to be disturbed and/or impacted. The inventory shall be conducted by a <br />qualified specialist and a report of findings will be prepared. A plan will be prepared making <br />recommendations for the protection of these species or action necessary to mitigate the <br />disturbance. The cost of conducting the inventory, preparing reports and carrying out mitigating <br />measures shall be borne by the Lessee. (Mitigations V-2, TW-1, TW-2). <br />6. With respect to bald or golden eagle nests which may be established on the Elk Creek Coal <br />Lease during the life of the project, the following shall apply: <br />No new permanent surface facilities or disturbances shall be located <br />within a 1/4 mile radius buffer zone around each bald or golden eagle <br />nest site. <br />b. No above ground activities will be allowed within a'/z mile radius buffer <br />zone around each active eagle nest site from November 15 to July 30 for <br />bald eagles, and around each active golden eagle nest site from <br />February 1 to July 15. <br />c. Any proposed surface facilities, disturbances or activities (noted above) <br />in, or adjacent to, these buffer zones will require approval from the BLM <br />or USFS on asite-specific basis, after consultation with the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service. <br />7. With respect to bald eagle winter roost sites or concentration areas which may become <br />established on the Elk Creek Coal Lease during the life of the project, the following special <br />stipulation shall apply: <br />No above ground activities will be allowed within a 1/4 mile radius of <br />winter roosts between November 15 and March 15; development may be <br />permitted at other periods. If periodic visits are required within the buffer <br />zone after development, activity should be restricted to the hours of 10:00 <br />am and 2:00 pm from November 15 through March 15. <br />8. With respect to other raptors (except American Kestrel) which may occur or become <br />established on the Elk Creek Coal Lease during the life of the project, the following special <br />stipulation shall apply: <br />Conduct surveys for nesting raptors on the lease tract prior to <br />development of any surface facilities. No surface activities will be allowed <br />within ~/z mile radius of active nest sites between the dates of February 1 <br />and August 15, unless authorized BLM or USFS on a site specific basis. <br />9. No surface disturbance or facilities will be located in occupied Southwest willow flycatcher <br />habitat. Prior to any planned disturbance within riparian habitats on the lease, the Lessee must: <br />1) Survey the area of the proposed disturbance for suitable Southwest willow flycatcher habitat, <br />and survey all suitable habitat for the presence of the species. All habitat and species surveys <br />must be in accordance with the accepted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protocol; 2) Provide the <br />Forest Service -Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract <br />