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6.4.8 Exhibit H -Wildlife Information Wildlife Habitat Characteristics Ecological characteristics of the site were characterized by ERO Resources (2000a). The area to be mined is currently managed as a pasture and grazed by cattle. The site contains a number of nonjurisdictional wetlands (McKee, 2003) associated with an old Boulder Creek channel. There are also some jurisdictional wetlands along the banks of the current Boulder Creek channel. The wetlands are dominated primarily by wetland forbs and grasses. However, there are scattered stands of sandbar willow (Salix exigua}, snowberry (Symphoricoarpos occidentalis), and salt cedar (Tamarisk sp.) associated with the wetlands, as are a few scattered plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides), peach-leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides), and Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) trees. Upland areas of the project site are shortgrass prairie and are occupied by a variety of native and non-native forbs and grasses with some scattered rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) present (ERO Resources, 2000a). There ponds adjacent to the east and the west side of Boulder Creek at the north end of the project site. A smaller pond is present just south of Cell 1 near its southwest corner. Boulder Creek flows through the property from south to north. Common Species in the Area Boulder Creek and the ponds in the area provide year round loafing and feeding habitat for waterfowl. It is likely that mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis) nest on or near the site. Great blue herons (Ardea herodias) may feed on Boulder Creek and in the ponds on site on a year-round basis and American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) may use the larger ponds during the summer. Riparian habitat along Boulder Creek is dominated by dense herbaceous vegetation and sandbar willow. Very few trees are present in the Boulder Creek riparian corridor on the site, reducing the wildlife habitat value. Boulder Creek provides a likely movement corridor for a wide variety of species. The dense vegetation present provides ample cover for many species helping them avoid predators as they move. The dense vegetation also provides a food source for larger species during their movements. Species likely to move up and down the creek include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Most of the site is shortgrass prairie, which provides potential habitat for ground dwelling species such as lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), western meadowlark (Sternella neglecta), black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), striped skunk, and badger (Taxidea taxus). Most of the proposed permit area is occupied by black-tailed prairie dogs. Black- tailed prairie dogs are colonial burrowing rodents. Their digging and grazing activities modify the habitat in and near the prairie dog colony. Over 100 species are associated with black-tailed prairie dogs on an opportunistic basis and nine species are at least partially dependent on black-tailed prairie dogs for some of Turnpike Mining Resource Regular 112 application