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Small Game and Forbearers <br />probably the only small game species occuring on the project site is the Nuital's cottontail <br />(Sylvilagus nuttallii). This species occurs in all habitats on the project site, but is most common in <br />shrubby vegetation and within the floodplain riparian habitat. The Nuttal's cottontail, along with <br />numerous rodent and ground squirrel species on the site, are prey for numerous raptors and a <br />variety of terrestrial predators expected to occur on or near the site. Predators and other <br />forbearers likely to occur on site include; American beaver (Castor canadensis), muskrat <br />(Ondatra zibethicus), mink (Mustela vison), ermine (M.erminea), badger (Taxidea taxes), raccoon <br />(Procyon lotor), red fox (Vulpes wipes) and coyote (Canis latrans). Tracks and other sign of <br />beaver, raccoon, and wyote were observed during field reconnaissance in the spring of 1998. <br />Non-game Birds <br />The project site provides habitat for a diverse array of breeding and migrant bird species. The <br />species most likely to be impacted by the proposed Mamm Creek Grave( Mine is the great blue <br />heron (Ardea herodias). A heron communal rookery of approximately 25 nests was located in <br />large cottonwoods on the western end of the projes- site. Although the herons had migrated <br />away from the rookery by September, the site is apparently active and produced several young in <br />1949. <br />Summary <br />The general plan is to minimally affect the sensitive, threatened or endangered wildlife in order to <br />spaze as much mature cottonwood forest lands, wetland and slough habitat as possible. Saving <br />large cottonwood trees on the mine property as well as adjoining property will reduce or eliminate <br />wildlife impacts. Existing smaller cottonwood trees and plant material will be harvested from the <br />site and replanted as part of the reclamation project during Phase I mining when commencing <br />land clearing and preparation of Phase II and so forth through the life of the mine. Sequential <br />mining and reclamation will reduce the impact to existing species at any given time during the <br />course of the project. <br />