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The likelihood of encountering a whooping crane or impacting critical habitat was largely . dismissed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as there is only one remaining transient bird left from an experimental flock released along the Colorado River a number of yeazs ago. Mr. Jerry Craig, raptor specialist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, was contacted regazding proximity of the site to eagle nests and winter night roosts. Mr. Craig searched the Colorado Division of Wildlife database in order to determine if any eagle nests or roosts had been identified in the past within the vicinity of the site. He stated that, according to his information, ao eagle nests had been identified within or adjacent to the site, and that there are no winter night roost sites in the area Project Effects to Wildlife The proposed mineral extraction plan for the 19 Road Pit identifies mining one cell within the site. After completion of reclamation, a lake will be left. With approval of the proposed plan, there will be little impact to the existing cottonwood grove and riparian corridor along the boundaries of the project site. These areas will remain to serve as mature habitat for wildlife. Currently, the site is open, with little native vegetation or cover for wildlife. Noise and air emissions during mining will cause a temporary disturbance to wildlife. Species such as raccoons, coyotes, beaver, deer, and raptors will continue to use the site during mining operations and the site itself when operations aze not active. Bird species will use the periphery of the site and the site itself opporhuiistically, if prey or food species aze present. The proposed project will extract material and leave one lake cell within the site. Permanent reclamation of the site will entail grading, respreading topsoil, and seeding and planting perennial species that will support wildlife. The mining and reclamation will create a more diverse habitat than is currently present. The lake will provide additional open water, shoreline, dispersal corridor, and buffering habitat for the site. Areas of open water will sustain additional species of reptiles and amphibians as well as shorebirds and waterfowl The addition of the water will create fringe environments favorable to predatory mammals and raptors, as well as food and water sources far herbivores. With the planting of additional trees and shrubs, additional strata and vegetation layers will be added to the site, creating improved cover, foraging, roosting, and nesting azeas for wildlife. With control andlor removal of noxious species such as Russian olive, tamarisk, and thistle during the project, and the replacement of desirable graminoid, forb, shrub, and tree species, mining and reclamation will resuh in enhancement of wildlife habitat on site. -4-