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~ccen~ber 1.2003 Aplit.ndix A Pale A-e~ <br />Lynx occupancy levels in the West Elks are not well known, but the species has not been <br />scientifically documented on the proposed lease tract. In the recent past, the CDOW has located <br />two adult radio-collared lynx in the vicinity: an individual on the Grand Mesa, and an individual <br />moving east along the base of the Ragged Mountains (Broderdorp 2003). <br />USFS, BLM, and USFWS have delineated areas of suitable habitat far lynx. The proposed lease <br />lies within the Mount Gunnison Lynx Analysis Unit (LAU), the agencies mapped primary denning <br />habitat at subalpine and higher montane elevations in spruce-fir and mixed conifer forests, and <br />"other' habitat (capable but not currently denning or winter forage habitat) in aspen stands mixed <br />or significantly interspersed with spruce, fir, or Douglas-fir (LeFevre 2003, USFS 2002, CNHP <br />2002). <br />Roughly 40% of the lease area is mapped as lynx habitat. Winter habitat occurs in small patches <br />in surrounding areas, and one small patch barely enters the lease area. Denning habitat and <br />"other" habitat is mapped in several forest patches separated by mountain shrub-dominated <br />areas. <br /> ,LEGEND <br /> - O„Pnvete Suifac~e/Fetleral Col <br />73 ~ Forest :Service Lease.Pares <br /> Q.BLM~Lease~~Parcel - <br /> DenninglWiriter~- BLM <br />'~; genning/wipter-USFS= <br /> `ti t, Winter:---BLM'- <br /> Winter-USFS. <br /> Other-BLM' , <br /> Other-USFS <br /> 7 <br />+Unsutable BLM <br /> Unsuitable USFS ~- <br /> <br />h Non habitat USFS- <br />~V <br />~;~ :' <br />Cand.Ownership, ' <br />. N <br />-BLM <br /> Forest Service A <br /> Q Private Lantl Imo, <br />~ <br />24 l <br />\ <br />The proposed lease would not result in any surface impacts other than those caused by <br />subsidence. During the early nineties, on nearby leases, Mountain Coal Company monitored the <br />subsidence effects on Cooper's hawk nests in aspen groves at approximately 7,000 feet in <br />elevation. Cooper's hawk nests were located in areas with overburden depths of 375 to 520 feet. <br />No damage or loss of aspen trees was detected during monitoring of the subsidence related <br />Environmental As~essinenl <br />Vilest ~latiir,~ ~ LBH l i ar,=, <br />Gunnison Coun'y, C:~inrado <br />