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Mountain Coal Company <br />• West Elk Mine <br />Rare and Endangered Species <br />Mammals <br />Exhibit 38 <br />Rare and Endangered Species <br />Exhibit 38 lists the species of mammals designated as threatened or endangered in the <br />Federal Register or by the State of Colorado DOW. <br />During investigations for medium-sized mammals in the West Elk Mine study area, <br />interviews were conducted with Dave Kenvin, Area Wildlife Conservation Office for the <br />Colorado DOW. Mr. Kenvin said the black-footed ferret has been reported in areas west <br />of Paonia, associated with prairie dog towns. Geographic distribution of the ferret <br />closely corresponds to the former distribution of prairie dogs, which are believed to be <br />the black-footed ferret's principal prey. There have been no sightings of ferrets on the <br />West Elk Mine study area, and there are no prairie dog towns present. <br />Birds <br />The greater sandhill crane (Gros canadensis tabida) and the peregrine falcon (Falco <br />pereginrrs) are listed as endangered by the State of Colorado. In addition, the pygmy owl <br />• (Glarrcidium gnoma) is a species of special interest in Colorado. <br />The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (1978) lists four bird species on its <br />threatened list which are of special interest: prairie falcon (Falco nrexicarrus), peregrine <br />falcon, whooping crane (Gros americarsa), and spotted owl (Stria occidentalis). <br />The prairie falcon is listed Federally as a threatened species. This raptor was observed <br />in the Juniper vegetation type near Minnesota Creek. No nest sites were discovered in <br />the study area. This species is seen infrequently on the site. Several areas with <br />potentially adequate cliffs for nest sites are present. The falcon is either a permanent <br />resident or visitant on the study area. <br />Occasional flybys by peregrine falcons are possible in migration and winter. Suitable <br />nesting habitat does not exist on the study area. A peregrine falcon was recorded on the <br />1971 Audubon Christmas count in the general region. <br />Several bird species observed on the study area are birds listed by Dr. Walter Graul, <br />non-gamebird specialist of the DOW (Graul, 1975) as species for which additional <br />distributional data are considered desirable. These species may or may not be locally _.. <br />abundant. Their inclusion on his list does not in itself constitute listing as threatened or <br />endangered. <br />• <br />Exhibit 38-1 <br />