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<br />\1 ildlifc Information
<br />To cv:du:dc potential wildlife habitat impacts fmm the pre+posal operation. information was
<br />gathcrcxl from the Vatural Diversity Intirmralion Sc+urce (VUIS-. 'fhe NDIS combines plant and
<br />:mimal abundance data form the Colorado Division of \\'ildlifc (DOW- and othc7 Colorado
<br />natural resource agencies to be used fns land-use anah•scs and decisions. The UOW was also
<br />contacted directly and armmettts w•cre received during Clem \\'atcr Act Section 4U4 permitting
<br />meetings.
<br />"I'hcre arc no knmvn thrcatcnccb'cndangcred species within the proposal project boundary. The
<br />only exception could bc. wintering or year-round roosting fccxling bald cagl~. liowcvcr, there
<br />arc no known nest sites within the pmpcxal pmjcct boundary.
<br />the proposal Wattcnhcrg Lakes site is a working rtnch used primarily firs livestock grazing with
<br />some areas cultivated for tree production and other crrps. The site also contains a mixture of
<br />open water, ripari:m, wcKland.:md upland habitats consisting of native vegetation. Cattail marsh,
<br />wet mcadcrw, and stands of willow and mature cottonwoods arc all firund on the proposed site.
<br />Wildlife kno~rn to he common or abundant in Weld County, and which might occur within or
<br />scar the proposed project site, include a variety of amphihi;tns, rc~}~tiles. birds, and mammals.
<br />Frogs. toads, salamanders, lizanls, and snakes would all be expected to inhabit areas similar to
<br />t}x~sc tinted wrthin nr near the proposed sites Common species could include the hullliog, plains
<br />spadoii+ot toad, Uger salamandcv, plains garter snake, and fence lizard.
<br />Many birds may use habitats similar to those found at the proposal \\'attenbcv,; Lakes site, c7ther
<br />year-round, seasonally for nesting, or temporarily 1Lr roosting during migrrtion. Some of the
<br />common or abundant spc~;ies could include n+hins, starlings, grackles, magpies, blackbirds,
<br />cowbirds, orioles, finches, sparrows, swallows, wrcros. ycllowthmats, larks. kingbirds, and doves.
<br />E3urow•ing owls have previously been ohscncd on portions of the site during the summer
<br />months. Mining in these areas will be limited or cxduded during this tintc of the vats to
<br />minimise amfliets with the owls. I3ecnuse of the abundant wetlmtd and open watcK habitat
<br />within and near the proposed pmjcxt site, shore birds ;md watc~rfoN~l such as killdc~cr, hemns,
<br />gulls. pelicans, ducks, Canadian ga~se, and grebes might also he present.
<br />It a~uld he cxpeetexl that must mammals exrmmom or abundant in Wcld County would be found
<br />near or within the proposed Wattenhcrg l.aka site. Smaller mammals that might be found at the
<br />proposai project site might include bats, mice, voles, gophers, arttontail rabbits, squirrels,
<br />muskrats, raccoons, and skunk. Although several spa:ies of mice may occur within the
<br />proposed projeY.t boundary, suitable habit fi,r the endangered frchlcs Meadow Jumping Mouse
<br />was not fi+und. Some of the larger m:nnmals could include both mule and cshitc tailed deer,
<br />coyote, and fox.
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