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G~'r~f !'',~~/`ss2~ he prairie dog populations in the vicinity of the coal conveyor actual mine portal and washing facility are. not of consequence due to inhospitable habitat. Populations in the disposal and alternate sites and along portions of the haul road, however, are in favorable habitat and are sufficiently dense, up to 290 individuals per hectare, to support predators on a sustained basis. Although an additional two man-weeks, including observations with a night vision device, were spent in search of ferrets in these favorable populations, none were seen nor evidenced. This does not preclude the possibility that they might exist, but it is unlikely. The fact that none were seen nor evidenced might be related to their inability to compete with the abundant golden eagle and other canid and fetid predators. Prairie d emains were abundant in eagle and coyote pellets. - -- -J--- Concern for prairie dog populations is legitimate. Habitat destruction was minimized by proper reclamation procedures. Active dumping of waste is kept to a minimum practicable acreage and will be followed by revegetation to return the area to use by animal species. Although the riparian habitat is the most significant for prime avian species because it supports the greatest diversity, it is least likely to be disturbed due to the water withdrawal method and there is very little of it within the proposed area of impact. Additionally, there are no prime avian species sufficiently dependent upon it that they will be harmed. Table II.C-15 of Section II.C gives a breakdown of water intake from White River and use by various categories. IV.M.3 Habitat Affinities The habitat affinities of four prime avian species are of concern: ferruginous hawks, golden eagles, sage grouse and burrowing owls. Ferruginous hawks nest in low juniper trees and on the ground in pinyon-juniper and low growing sagebrush or desert shrub areas in the potential impact area. Although they are the largest group of raptors known as buteos they are thought to be declining in numbers. This decline is in large part attributed to Their intolerance of human activity in and around nesting areas. Although the mining and disposal operations are not proposed to seriously impact the critical nesting habitat of the ferruginous hawks, the increased activity will likely cause them to move away from the perturbation source and hence the projected perturbation value 5. The disposal area will also impact their hunting territory but since their hunting territory is 60 square miles and the area is not saturated with ferruginous hawks, the few acres projected for loss at any given time will be insignificant. Golden eagles are common throughout their range in the western United States and are estimated at 3.84 individuals per square mile in the area of proposed impact. Although they range over a variable habitat territory of approximately 100 square mites, they prefer to nest in rocky cliff areas. If golden eagles were highly susceptible to disturbance, the planned activities would pose problems at the portal site. The portal is located in close proximity to the golden eagles. There are three known nest sites active on the cliffs east of the portal, but it is likely that only one is used during any given year as evidenced in 1979. The eagles select their nest site in the spring of a given year and use it until fledging. At this time they hunt freely over their range using a variety of habitats and perches and have Mine Permit Renewal #3 (Rev. 1/00) IV- 45