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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSAIGNT DUCKWORTH Prr, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO Wildlife Assessment Federal and State Listed Threatened. Endangered and Sensitive Species Federal or state threatened, endangered and sensitive species evaluated include: • Black-footed ferret - federally and state endaneered • Preble~s meadowjumping mouse- federally and state threatened • Bald eagle -federally and state threatened • Black-tailed prairie dog -federal candidate. state species of concern • Burrowine owl -state threatened Mountain plover -state species of concern Ferruginous hawk -state species of concern • Long-billed curlew-state species of concern • Swift fox -state species of concern \orthern leopard frog -state species of concem • Common Barter snake-state species of concern Black footed Ferret (Mustela pia ipes) The black-footed ferret is a federal endangered species closely associated with the presence of prairie dogs. Afield reconnaissance survey was conducted to verif} the location. size, and activity of prairie dog towns within and near the proposed pmiect site and evaluate the capability of any existing towns to support ferrets. Prairie dogs currenth occupy approximately 7.75 acres of the Duckworth Property and have notably expanded since 2003. A rough estimate of prairie dog burrow density was conducted on three I- acre sample plots. Burrow density was estimated at 1 1.3 burrows per acre in occupied areas. Federal guidelines establish a minimum area of 80 acres ofblack-tailed prairie dog towns that the Sen'ice believes is needed to support ablack-footed fetter (50 CFR 40?). The prairie dogs on the project site are not connected to anv other prairie doe towns on adjacent properties and the 7.75 acres of active prairie dog town does not satisf. the minimum habitat required for ablack-footed ferret. Thus. the propem contains no potential habitat for ferrets. 4 ERO Resourres (orporaUan