PERMFILE103841

• Permit No: M1997054
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Section_Exhibit Name: EXHIBIT H WILDLIFE INFORMATION
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Exhibit H CIIILRB 112 Permit Application
Agile Stone Systems, Inc.
4.2 Big Game
Mule deer, bighom sheep, black bear, and mountain lion are the only big game animals
likely to be found in the permit azea. Field surveys by Cedar Creek (4/97) documented
the presence of mule deer. As indicated previously, mule deer pellets were relatively
common on the pinon/juniper slopes north of Tallahassee Creek. Four mule deer does
were also noted crossing Tallahassee Creek near the proposed stream crossing area for
the granite quarry site.
Mule deer are distributed statewide in all ecosystems in Colorado. They are most
abundant in shrublands in rough, broken terrain where abundant food and cover are
provided (Fitzgerald et al. 1994). Mule deer populations within the permit azea region
exhibit seasonal movement with most shifts in distribution occurring as a result of
elevational migration in response to snow cover. The permit area is used primarily as
winter and eazly spring range by mule deer. The lazgest numbers of mule deer occur in
the permit azea during spring green-up when mule deer move down from nearby
pinon/juniper slopes to feed on newly emerged herbaceous vegetation in grassland and
pinon/juniper/grassland habitats During the summer most deer move to higher elevation
habitats, although some deer use of the permit azea is likely to occur an a yeaz-round
basis. (Finch, personal communication, 11/97)
Populations of bighom sheep aze widely scattered throughout the mountains and foothills
of Colorado. Preferred habitat is provided in azeas dominated by rock cover, grass, and
shrubs in close proximity to open escape terrain and topographic relief (Fitzgerald et al.
1994). Herds in Colorado typically migrate between higher elevation summer ranges and
lower elevation winter ranges (Fitzgerald et al. 1994). A population of bighom sheep
inhabits the rugged terrain of the Arkansas River canyon west of the permit azea (Finch,
personal communication 11/97). Big Hom sheep are only expected west of the permit
area. (Personal communication, field investigation, Chris Kloster, 8/97) They aze not
expected in the permit azea because of ranch activities, overgrazing, lack of preferred
hapitat and the lower elevation in the azea. The figure, provided by the Colorado
Department of Wildlife, Personal Communication 12/97, shown at the end of the exhibit
demonstrates the documented and expected boundaries of big horn sheep well west of
any permit boundary. Recent comments from DOW are also shown in their
accompanying letter.
Prime black beaz habitat is chazacterized by relatively inaccessible terrain, thick
understory vegetation, and abundant sources of shrub or tree borne soft or hazd mast
(Pelton 1982). Beazs occur throughout the mountainous portions of Colorado but are
most common at low to moderate elevations that support stands of oak brush and berry
producing shrubs (Fitzgerald et al. 1994). The permit azea may represent a portion of
black bear range, but black bears are not likely to be common in the area because of the
general lack of preferred food sources.
Mountain lions occur throughout the mountainous portions of the state with their range
tied to that of elk and mule deer. Mountain lion prey primarily on mule deer and young
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