PERMFILE117736 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

i • (Zenaida macroura), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), and great blue herons (Ardea herodias). The majority of birds were feeding and loafing at the time of our investigation. A black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicia~tus) colony is present along the northeast edge of the site. During our investigation rabbits were spotted taking cover in the prairie dog holes. Seasonal Use With the exception of bats, the mammals species encountered during the site inspection or that potentially occur on-site are expected to be year-round residents or users of the site. The carnivore and ungulate species are not restricted to this site and tend to have relatively lazge home ranges (up to several squaze miles). The majority of rodent and insectivore species can be expected to reside on-site throughout the year, though many may hibernate during the cold months. Avian species may be year-round, temporary migrants, or summer residents of the site. Year-round residents would include the waterfowl, raptor, gallinaceous birds, pigeons, owls, and woodpeckers. The majority of the shorebirds and passerines would use the site during the spring, summer, and fall for feeding or resting during migration. Amphibian and reptile species of the site are yeaz- round residents. Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habitat Critical potential habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), and Ute ladies'-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) has atready been addressed. It was determined that development of the site should not adversely affect Zapus hudsonius preblei or Spiranthes diluvtalis (see attached USFWS correspondence). Based on our on-site investigation, two clumps of cottonwood trees were identified on the site. The first clump of approximately 50 trees is located on the northeast wrner of the site and the second clump of approximately 15 cottonwood trees is located in the northwest corner of the site. Approximately one-third of the small clump of cottonwood trees is senescent. During our site investigation of the small clump we observed primarily mature cottonwood trees with little or no recruitmert. This being the case, there will come a time when the mature cottonwood trees are gone and the overstory structure of the tree clumps will be lost. In order to keep important wildlife habitat on the site, it is recommended that the large clump of trees remain on the site while the small clump, that consists of some senescent trees, be removed. Mitigation for removal of the small tree clump could, in the long term, be of great benefit in maintaining the wildlife habitat on the site. Planting cottonwoods of varying ages throughout the site as part of the concurrent reclamation would provide replacement trees for the mature and senescent cottonwoods, and enhance the existing habitat through development of an age stratified vegetation community.