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However, possible silt and turbidity from thunder showers to areas immediately adjacent and downstream of the mining operation could cause minimal impacts to public and private land. It may be prudent to place berms or dams in small intermittent drainages downstream from mining operation areas (including stockpiling areas) to protect from local surface runoff effects. Since these drainages are essentially headwater, the area drained is relatively small. Wilderness, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Wild and Scenic Rivers: The ACEC for cultural resources is considered above. No wilderness or Wild and Scenic Rivers are included in this proposal. NON-CRITICAL ELEMENTS Wildlife: Larne Mammals: Mule deer, mountain lion - Although the general vicinity is considered critical winter range for deer, the proposed gravel pit area is surrounded by thousands of acres of sagebrush. [~7orking a small portion (<160 acres) on the BLM would be an inconsequential impact to the deer population. Extraction of minerals would be market-driven and would likely occur over a long period with only a small surface area disturbed at any one time. The east side of the BLM is contiguous to private land. Existing residences with dogs, cats and activities typically associated with residential development are more likely to cause a deterrent to the winter wildlife than the proposed gravel operation. There is an abundance of sagebrush located north of the project, by the pinyon/juniper trees (where deer run for cover) and adjacent to the BLM is Ute Mountain Indian Reservation. Mountain lions usually prefer rough, broken foothills and canyon country, which can be associated with shrubland and pinyon/juniper woodlands. This type habitat is located further north and west of the project area, and the planned gravel operation is not expected to impact the cat's hunting ground significantly. Small Mammals: Prey species likely present include a variety of mice, rats, voles, ground squirrels, jack rabbits, cottontail rabbits, shrew, lizards, and prairie dogs. These prey species might be temporarily displaced by the gravel operation as it moves through the project area, however, these species would be expected to return as the rehabilitation takes place. The predators may include: gray, red or kit fox, coyotes, bobcat, skunk, weasel, ringtail, raccoon, and badgers. The large amount of hunting area that these predators use would not be significantly affected by this proposed gravel operation. Birds of prey including: golden and bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, harriers, Swainsons hawk, American kestrel, great-horned and long-eared owls hunt this larger area. The 160 acre area would 5