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AUG-10-2001 FRl 0323 PM LARGE NORTHERN FAX N0, ~ 407 3900 P, 05 II. MET;gUDS This survey was conducted in accordance with the lnterim Survey Guidelines for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (USFWS 1999). Photographs were taken to describe and document the habitat and dominant%common plant species went recorded. Daily weather conditions, as well as those preceding the surveys were also noted. We baited non-folding Sherman live traps with Manna Pro sweet feed and set them each afternoon after 1700 hours and then checked them each morning from 0630-0800 hours. Traps remained closed throughout the day. Precautions were taken as outlined by the Center for Disease Control for hantavirus protection, and traps were disinfected after each survey with a 10% bleach solution. The trapping survey at this site began on the evening of August 25, 2000, when we laid out three traplines, one consisting of 75 baps, and the other two consisting of 50 traps each. Traplines ran west along the river corridor on the north shore, beginning on the west side of an active beaver dam. Two traplines ran along the river shoreline, and the third one ran along the shore of a reclaimed mining pit which was located j ust north of the river across what appeared to be an old mining road. Individual traps were placed within 5 m of one another, and traplines were placed approximately 10 m apart. The south shore was not surveyed due to its gravelly, steep banks and a lack of adequate vegetative cover. The survey concluded on August 28, 2000, whin traps were picked up, emptied, and disinfected. Three nights of trapping resulted in a total of 525 trap nights. Vegetative cover along this stretch of the river was highly v$riable, and because of the minimal amount of potentially suitable habitat in the area, 525 trapnights were deemed a sufficient number to determine the presence or absence of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse. 11L RESULTS AND D1SClJSS10N During 3 nights of trapping, only 4 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were captured. The lack of trapping success possibly was the result of a low in rodent population cycles, past flooding events, a decline in food quality and quantity, or perhaps a disease outbreak. Another explanation for the absence of small rodents here may be the presence of predators, such as osprey, red fox, and domestic dogs and cats. 1V. SUMMARY A trapping survey was conducted to determine the presence or absence of Preble's meadow jumping mice at the Taft Bill Replacement Bridge Site along a stretch of the Poudre River. During a total of 525 trapnights, only 4 mice were caught and no Preble's jumping mice were detected. Therefore, it is my recommendation that the bridge replacement project proposed for this site by Larimer County not be delayed based solely on concerns regarding this threatened species.