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• The carrying capacity in animal unit months (AUM's) assumes 1000 pounds of air-dry forage <br />per AUM at 50 percent utilization. The AUMs for each range site found within the permit <br />area are shown in Table 14, Forage Production, Percent Vegetation Cover, and Carrying <br />Capacity by Range Site. <br />Rare and Endangered Plant Species <br />No rare or endangered plant species were found within the permit area. <br />2.04.11 Fish and Wildlife Resources Information <br />Fish and wildlife resource information has been compiled with assistance from Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife officials. The wildlife population in the permit area is extremely low. <br />Three factors contribute to the lack of any substantial wildlife population in this area: <br />(1) Extensive disturbance by previous underground coal mining operations; <br />(2) Lack of vegetation caused by many years of overgrazing; and <br />(3) Lack of water. <br />• Likewise, because of the ephemeral nature of the drainages within the mine plan area, no <br />fish or other aquatic biota are found within the permit area or adjacent areas. <br />Table 15, Wildlife Species, lists the terrestrial vertebrae species known to occur or are likely <br />to occur in the habitats present within the permit and adjacent areas. <br />Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species. No federal or state listed threatened or <br />endangered animal species are likely to occur on the mine plan or adjacent areas. Although <br />not listed as threatened or endangered, the golden eagle has been given the same protection <br />as the bald eagle by virtue of its inclusion in the Bald Eagle Protection Act. Golden eagles <br />may utilize some land at the extreme west of the permit area, but it is unlikely that any <br />impact would occur with respect to this animal as a result of mining. The peregrine falcon <br />may rarely pass over the area during migration. However, this raptor should not have been <br />impacted by mining. <br />2.04.12 Prime Farmland Investigation <br />In order to determine the presence of potential prime farmlands within the permit area, a <br />reconnaissance inspection was conducted and Don Martin, the SCS Soil Conservationist for <br />Huerfano County, was consulted (Exhibit 5). Results of the pre-application investigation <br />indicated that the entire permit area could be excluded as prime farmland since the land has <br />not historically been used as cropland. Based also on SCS soil survey information, no soils <br />• encountered in the permit area have been designated as prime farmland. <br />2.04-80 <br />