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<br />Threatened and Endangered Species Survev Pape 2 <br />In response to a comment from the DMG, WESTEC requested an updated list of threatened, <br />endangered, or candidate species which might occur in the area of the operation from the USFWS. <br />This species list is included as Appendix A of this report. <br />Seven federally listed species could occur near the West Elk Mine according to the USFWS. Of <br />these species, four are fishes restricted to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. These fishes are <br />not anticipated to be impacted due to any activities of the proposed expansion. <br />The potential for the other three species to occur in the area was evaluated during the above <br />described field investigation by Dr. Dorn. Specifically, the threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus <br />leucocephalus) may inhabit areas along the North Fork of the Gunnison fliver especially during the <br />winter, and they may be expected to occur in the area. Bald eagles are known to use active coal <br />mining areas in the region. The endangered southwestern willow flycather (Empidonaz traillii <br />• extimus) inhabits rather open riparian sites unlike the narrow riparian area of Sylvester Gulch which <br />was nevertheless surveyed. The boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas), a candidate species, normally <br />occurs above 8,000 feet elevation. The site is all below 7,500 feet. <br />WESTEC Job No. 96280 <br />February, 1997 WESTEC, Inc. Report No. 1619A.rpt <br />