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December 1. ?_003
<br />3.6.9.3 Other Came Species
<br />Page 3-'12 .
<br />Other common game species include blue grouse, wild turkey, mourning dove, cottontail, bobcat, and
<br />pine squirrel.
<br />3.6.9.4 Non-game Species, Including Raptors and Migratory Birds
<br />The lease tract and surrounding areas are inhabited by a diversity of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and
<br />birds adapted to lower montane shrublands, aspen and drier conifer forests, and riparian forests. Of
<br />particular concern are raptors and other migratory bird species.
<br />Common raptors in the area include American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, Sharp-skinned
<br />hawk, and golden eagle. Northern goshawk, a Forest Service Region 2 sensitive species, may occur in
<br />the lease area, and is discussed in Section 3.6.1.5, Threatened, Endangered, Candidate, and Sensitive
<br />Wildlife Species.
<br />Many other migratory birds occur. Of particular importance are species nesting in riparian forests, aspen
<br />and mixed conifer forests, and on cliffs.
<br />3.6.9.5 ForestServlceManagementlndicatorSpecies
<br />Seventeen Management Indicator Species have been identified by fhe Forest Service for the GMUG
<br />National Forests (Forest Service, 2001). The following Management Indicator Species have the potential
<br />to occur in the analysis area: elk, mule deer, Lewis's woodpecker, northern goshawk, hairy woodpecker,
<br />and black bear. Elk, mule deer, and black bear occur throughout the lease area. Lewis's woodpecker
<br />could nest in the lower end of the riparian area along Raven Gulch. Northern goshawk could nest in
<br />aspen forests, and hairy woodpecker is likely to nest in Douglas-fir stands.
<br />3.6.9.6 Threatened, Endangered, Candidate, and Sensitive Wi/d/ife Species
<br />To determine federally listed or candidate species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Fish and Wildlife
<br />Service) Unit Species List for the GMUG National Forests dated February 2003 (Pfister, 2003a) was
<br />consulted and confirmed to be current in July 2003 (Pfister, 2003b) with the exception of the removal of
<br />the southwestern willow flycatcher. A Biological Assessment prepared for this project, is in the project
<br />files, and is summarized in this document.
<br />The Forest Service Region 2 Sensitive Species List dated November 2003 (Forest Service, 2003) was
<br />consulted, and sensitive species to be evaluated were determined by review of species' distribution and
<br />habitat requirements and consultation with the Forest Service (Wang, 2003). The BLM Sensitive Species
<br />Lists for the State of Colorado and the Uncompahgre Field Office were also used. A Biological Evaluation
<br />prepared for this project is in the project file.
<br />Table 3-1, Threatened, Endangered, Candidate or Sensitive Species, identifies federally threatened,
<br />endangered, or candidate species, as well as BLM and Forest Service Region 2 sensitive species
<br />evaluated for this project. The Gunnison sage-grouse, Mexican spotted owl, yellow-billed cuckoo,
<br />Uncompahgre fritillary, and boreal toad were eliminated from further evaluation because suitable habitats
<br />are not present or affected buttertly by the proposed project.
<br />F_nvironmental r~ssessrreia
<br />West Flatiron LEA Tract
<br />Gr.innison Counhy, Golorad~
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