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<br />Threatened and Endangered Species Survey Page 1 <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />1.1 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT <br />r' <br />Mountain Coal Company (MMC) plans to expand its operations at the West Elk Mine into <br />undisturbed areas of Sylvester Gulch. The area encompasses approximately 300 acres between <br />6,100 and 7,500 feet immediately east and south of the West Elk Mine facilities in T13S R90W <br />Section 9 SE 1/4 SE 1/4, Section 10 S %: SW 1/4, Section 15 W 1/2, Section 16 E 1/2, Section <br />21 E 1/2, and Section 22 W '/~, Gunnison County, Colorado. The area is shown on Figure 1-1. <br />1.2 SURVEY METHODS <br />All habitats in the area were surveyed on foot by Robert Dorn on August 22 and 23, 1996. The <br />general vegetation was noted and species observed were recorded (sometimes to genus). Wildlife <br />species observed also were recorded. All habitats in the area were evaluated as potential habitat <br />for listed threatened, endangered, or candidate species. <br />WESTEC and Dr. Dorn have been evaluating habitats in the immediate area of the West Mine for <br />about four years. During that time, Dr. Dorn conducted several surveys for the potential of <br />threatened, endangered, or candidate species. Also during that time, the list of these species <br />which have the potential to occur in the area was modified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />(USFWSI, and WESTEC was aware of those modifications. Dr. Dorn is thoroughly familiar with <br />all of the habitats that occur in the area and the potential for those habitats to support threatened, <br />endangered, or candidate species. <br />WESTEC Job No. 96280 <br />February, 1997 WESTEC, Inc. Report No. 1619A.rpt <br />