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e ~ United States Department of the Interior IN REPLY REFER 7R Mr. John k'alters Salt Creek Mining Company P.0. Drawer L Fruita, CO 81521 Dear Mr. Walters: FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE COLORADO FIELD OFFICE 71o SIn7n15 STREET ROOM 292 GOLDEN. COLORADO soaot September 7, 1983 Please accept this letter as a report on a raptor survey of the Munger and McClane properties performed for your company by USFWS biologists on July 20, 1983. The survey vas flown in a Hughes SOOD helicopter and because of the terrain required approximately eight hours of air time to complete. Both 4Sike Lockhart and Rick Krueger, of our Grand Junction office, participated as observers. Many nests of several species were detected and are summarized as follows: Active golden eagle nest 1 Tended golden eagle nest 6 Inactive golde n eagle nest 12 Large inactive stick nest (probable eagle) 4 Inactive Buteo (red-tailed hawk) 6 Active raven 4 Inactive raven 2 Buteo/raven 1 Large inactive stick nest (raptor-like) b Small inactive stick nest (raptor-like) 2 TOTAL NESTS 44 A map depicting nest locations and survey boundaries is attached. Of the species or nest types found, golden eagle nests are of principal con- cern given this species designated status as a migratory bird of high federal interest. Although only one active golden eagle nest was found, clumped groups of inactive nests and particularly tended nests (nests recently refurbished with greenery) indicate presence of additional eagle pairs. We believe that five, perhaps more, viable nesting pairs exist within the Munger/McClane property boundaries. Given the legal status of the golden eagle we have de- lineated protective buffer zones around nest sites which are displayed on the attached map. In addition, legal descriptions of buffer zones are also attached.