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proximity ofthe Bernhardt resource site to the site where the mouse was trapped, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has indicated that a trapping survey is not necessary for the Bernhazdt resource site. They consider the Bernhardt resource site to be within the dispersion corridor and range of this mouse population. Therefore, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will require a mouse mitigation plan be prepazed and submitted for the Bernhardt resource site. Potential habitat for the Ute ladies'-tresses orchid is present along the Big Thompson River primary alluvial floodplain that includes riverbanks and oxbows south of the river. Habitat is also present within other depressions and swales on the site. A pedestrian survey for the orchid was conducted August 2, 2002 during the normal blooming period. No orchids were encountered within the project site. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the results of the survey. No eagles or nests were observed during our investigation of the site. Based on our on- site investigation, the cottonwood trees throughout the ripazian comdor aze mature and some are senescent. It has been our observation that the majority of ripazian corridors along the Front Range of Colorado consist primazily of mature cottonwood trees with little or no recruitment. This being the case, there will come a time when the mature cottonwood trees aze gone and the overstory structure of the ripazian corridor will be lost. Reclamation within the permit azea and cottonwood ripazian corridor could, in the long term, be of great benefit in maintaining the riparian corridor. Planting cottonwoods of varying ages throughout the riparian comdor as part of the reclamation would provide replacement trees for the mature cottonwoods, and enhance the overall existing ripazian corridor habitat. Project Effects to R'ildlije According to the proposed mineral extraction plan for the Bernhardt resource a large portion of the riparian corridor that includes the majority of the mature cottonwood trees and understory adjacent to the river will be undisturbed. Noise and air emissions during mining will cause a temporary disturbance to wildlife. Species such as raccoons, coyotes, beaver, deer, and raptors will continue to use the ripazian corridor during mining operations and the site itself when operations aze not active. Bird species will use the periphery of the site and the site itself opportunistically, if prey or food species are present. The proposed project will extract material and leave cells within the site. Permanent reclamation of the site will entail grading, respreading topsoil, and seeding and planting perennial species that will support wildlife species. The mining and reclamation will create a more diverse habitat than is currently present. Areas of open water will sustain additional species of reptiles and amphibians as well as shorebirds and waterfowl. The addition of the water will create fringe environments favorable to predatory mammals and raptors, as well as food and water sources for herbivores. With the planting of additional cottonwood trees and shrubs, additional strata and vegetation layers will be