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EXHIBIT H
<br /> Wildlife Information
<br /> To evaluate potential wildlife habitat impacts from the proposed operation, information was
<br /> gathered from the Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS). The NDIS combines plant and
<br /> animal abundance data from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and other Colorado
<br /> natural resource agencies to be used for land-use analyses and decisions.
<br /> There are no known threatenedlendangered species within the proposed project boundary.
<br /> Although bald eagles are observed in the South Valley area, there are no known nest or roosting
<br /> sites within the proposed project boundary.
<br /> The proposed River Valley Resource site is a working ranch used primarily for livestock grazing
<br /> and/or hay production. The site also contains a mixture of riparian, wetland and upland habitats
<br /> consisting of native vegetation. Cattail marsh, wet meadow, and stands of willow are all found
<br /> on the proposed site.
<br /> Wildlife known to be common or abundant in Routt County, and which might occur within or
<br /> near the proposed project site, include a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
<br /> Frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, and snakes would all be expected to inhabit areas similar to
<br /> those found within or near the proposed site. Common species could include the Northern
<br /> Leopard Frog, Western Chorus Frog, Tiger Salamander, and Fence Lizard.
<br /> Many birds may use habitats similar to those found at the proposed River Valley Resource site,
<br /> either year-round, seasonally for nesting, or temporarily for roosting during migration. Some of
<br /> the common or abundant species could include robins, starlings, magpies, blackbirds, cowbirds,
<br /> orioles, finches, sparrows, swallows, wrens, larks, kingbirds, hummingbirds and doves. Because
<br /> of the abundant wetland and open water habitat within and near the proposed project site, shore
<br /> birds and waterfowl such as killdeer, herons, pelicans, ducks, and Canadian geese might also be
<br /> present.
<br /> It could be expected that most mammals common or abundant in Routt County would be found
<br /> near or within the proposed River Valley Resource site. Smaller mammals that might be found at
<br /> the proposed project site might include bats, mice, voles, gophers, cottontail rabbits, squirrels,
<br /> raccoons, and skunks. Some of the larger mammals could include mule deer, elk, coyote, and
<br /> fox.
<br /> The mining operation may disturb some of the wildlife within the proposed site boundary and
<br /> adjacent area. However, mining activities will be confined to specific areas, are a small
<br /> percentage of the More Family Ranch, and reclamation will be performed concurrent with
<br /> mining to limit the total disturbed acreage at any one time. This will help limit the disturbance to
<br /> wildlife in the area.
<br /> River Valley Resource
<br /> DUG 112 Pernril
<br /> Page 16
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