PERMFILE112729

• Permit No: X200521206
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/1/2005
• Doc Name: Wildlife Habitat Eval & Inventory for SST-1 Exploration Project
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING T & E, SENSITIVE AND
MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES
In reviewing the list of species and their habitat requirements provided by the USFS, the
conclusion can be drawn that habitat for most of these species is lacking, very limited or
of poor quality at, and azound, the proposed drill site and access road.
No federally listed Threatened and Endangered Species would be affected by
activities associated with the proposed exploration program.
Two ground dwelling mammals aze listed by the USFWS. These are the Canada lynx
and black footed fen•et. In the general azea there is no suitable denning and winter habitat
for lynx. The USFS has mapped azeas near the site as potential "other lynx habitat". By
defmition this means that it is not considered denning or winter foraging habitat, but
could be used by lynx. No potential habitat is visible from the SST-1 site. No lynx aze
known to occur within many miles of this area and considerable suitable habitat exists in
those areas where they are currently located. It is probably safe to assume that no lynx
would move into the azea. Further, drill site and road construction will not result in the
loss of any potentially suitable habitat.
No suitable habitat exists for the black footed ferret on National Forest or other lands in
this part of the state. No suitable habitat for spotted and Townsend's big-eared bats exists
in the vicinity of the proposed drill sites or access roads.
The southwestern willow flycatcher is listed as Endangered by the USFWS. However,
they have determined that habitat is lacking in the area where the project is located. Field
surveys confirm that no suitable willow habitat exists in the azea where the site and
access road are located.
The bald eagle and Mexican spotted owl aze listed as Threatened by the USFWS. There
is no suitable habitat for either of these species within the project azea. There are no
records of the Mexican spotted owl having been observed on the forest. The nearest
suitable habitat for bald eagles is along the Gunnison River several miles to the north.
The yellow-billed cuckoo is listed as a candidate species by the USFWS. No gallery type
ripazian forest used by the yellow-billed cuckoo is found within the project area.
The boreal toad is listed as a candidate species. There is no suitable habitat for this
species found in or azound the project azea.
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