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15. Prepared by: Ddte: • MINED LAND WILDLIES STATSbS'D7T/EVALUATION Foz iimi led Lmpact and select regular mina epplicaticn= The following information pertaining to wildlife is provided for use by Mined Land Reclamation Board in their consideration of a mining permit for: Name/Type and Location of Mine (Legal) s List: "Cho mine is located in a very «ildlife diverse. area Tire following is a list of some of the species that were likely to Gave been found on the site prior to Carrico Stone's mining activity: Mule Deer, Swift Fox, Coyote, Bobcat, Mountain Lian, Black Sear, Motntain Cottontail, Jack Rabbit, Styled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Northern Hamer, Red-Tailed Hawk, American Ken'n'el, Mountain Blue=Died, Plateau Lizard, Great Plains Skink, Vl'estem Rattlesnake, Lesser Fatless Lizard, Collared Lizard, and Texas Homed Lizard (']us list is not exhaustive). There are a couple species of concem that cvere/ate likely to be found at the site (underlined in above list). It is unlikely that any threatened or endangered species werelare on the site. (Endangered%Critical Sp®cias/Impacted: ---~ There are two species of concem that were/are ltlcely to be found at the mining site. It is unlikely that the proposed mining act=vity will have a significarn negative impact on either species. 'there is p~atial to improve habitat for the Texas Horned Lizard through the reclamation. • Critical Habitats/Veg®tativo Ccmmxnities Impacted: "The proposed mining actions will impact a fairly diverse plant community. The mining site is located along the margin of a pinyoNjaniper stand. The site includes pinyomfjuaiper woodland, short grass prairie, and some shtuh cover. Ctiurertly the site has a relatively high IeveJ of plant diversity. The plant diversity has been increased recently as a result ofthe disturbance the site has experienced. There are a lot of fortis and grasses growing on the site that are not growing in the adjacent und'astuxbed area. Just a few of the j disturbance loving fortis and grasses found on site are: cheatgrass (Brortui tecroru»rl, alfatl'a (,~tedicago satiixl), miners candle (Cryptanthan virgata), common stmtlower {Heliantlaus arurus), broorned snakeweed (Cratierreziasarorhraej, etc. Many of the forts found az the size are extreraety benefcciat to many wildlife species. The forts support a large insect community, which provides a great food source fox rttany bird and reptile species. Many ofthe axmual fortis, such a sunflower, also provide a seed source for birds and small nuunmals. It is likely that prior to any entering activity, the tniuing site provided less bcnefiC to evildlife than it currently does. Before the Jackson's began removing rock, the site was likely dominated by buffalo grass (Buch7vedacryloides), blue gramme, (13auteloua gracilis), broomed snakeweed, and Otte-seed juttipers (Juniperus monosperma). While these plant species are utilized by wildlife, it's likely that the historicl•~kafplantdiversityresultedinonlyfairqualitywildlifehabitat. The bluegram-aaand buffalo grass was most beneficial as cattle forage. It appears that several,jurdpers will l;e removed during mining. As far ac wildli fe are concerned, that will probably be more of a positive impact than a aeaakive one. Pinvons and ialniaerS are Attachment 4 pp`2 ~J