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• by wildlife consultants (Colony, 1974). Impacts projected for <br />the terrestrial vertebrates of the Dow West and Grand Valley <br />permit areas were classified into three major categories: 1) <br />direct disturbance, 2) habitat modification, and 3) movement <br />barriers. <br />Direct disturbance in the vicinity of the plant site and Grand <br />Valley facilities will consist of general construction and oper- <br />ation activities. Disturbance along the Parachute Creek corridor <br />will result mostly from increased traffic. Construction activities <br />related to pipelines, utilities and roads will be of a temporary <br />nature. Species most impacted by these disturbances will be <br />deer, elk, large predators (such as mountain lion and black bear), <br />and raptors. Most smaller species, and some big game, are not <br />particularly sensitive to disturbance by human activity; therefore, <br />it is anticipated that they will adjust to plant site and mining <br />activities and utilize the undisturbed areas in and around active <br />• operations. However, mule deer, upland birds, small game, small <br />predators, and the like are vulnerable to indirect losses. Popu- <br />lation reductions owing to direct disturbance and vehicle traffic <br />are expected to occur for these species within areas of intensive <br />activity. <br />Habitat modifications are unavoidable in areas of construction <br />and operation. All of the permitted areas will not be disturbed <br />or removed from habitat use; rather, only small portions of the <br />permit area will be required for operational needs during the <br />life of the project. Essentially three habitat zones will be <br />disturbed by Colony's operations and a discussion of each follows: <br />1) The Roan Plateau serves as summer range for deer and <br />elk. It is comprised primarily of sagebrush, mountain brush <br />and aspen communities (Exhibit J) typical of the region. Of <br />the approximately 6,000 acres in the Dow West permit area, about <br />500 acres will be used for siting of the process plant, coarse <br /> <br />H-13 <br />