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<br />is generally limited to mule deer winter range, and plant operations are not expected to <br />be detrimental to wintering populations. <br />H.2 Raptors <br />A variety of raptors are found in and near the project area throughout the year. <br />Common breeding residents include the golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, and Cooper's <br />hawk, while the sharp-shinned hawk and goshawk are considered relatively rare <br />breeding residents. Rough-legged hawks and bald eagles forage in open vegetation <br />types throughout the Piceance Creek Basin during the winter months. <br />Breeding/nesting raptors have been identified by the BLM as an important wildlife <br />concern. Nesting raptors generally construct or return to established nests in mid- <br />February to early April, lay their eggs in March or April, and occupy the nest until the <br />chicks fledge between early June and mid-August. <br />In 1998, in consultation with the BLM, American Soda performed a raptor survey for <br />the project area, including the mal~rity of the Piceance Site. The raptor survey was <br />conducted during two distinct phases of the raptor nesting period in May and June <br />1998. Results from the 1998 raptor survey indicate that the Piceance Site is currently not <br />heavily used by breeding raptors. Although several raptor species were observed at or <br />near the Piceance Site, confirmed nesting use was documented only for golden eagle <br />and American kestrel. Additional unoccupied nests were observed during the 1998 <br />surveys; these nests will be revisited to establish their use prior to development in these <br />areas. <br />American Soda's 1998 raptor survey included most of the 44-mile-long pipeline <br />corridor. Survey areas emphasized pinyon-juniper and aspen habitats because the BLM <br />has determined these areas to be the most sensitive for nesting raptors. Nine nests were <br />located along the pipeline corridor, with only one nest occupied (by red-tailed hawk). <br />Some additional surveys will be performed (in 1999) for those areas of the pipeline <br />corridor that have been re-routed since the 1998 survey. <br />Previous surveys along the proposed pipeline corridor from the Greasewood <br />Compressor Station south to the Parachute Site were completed in 1994 for the <br />Colorado Interstate Gas Company and Barrett Resources natural gas pipelines. These <br />surveys indicated minimal use of areas along the proposed corridor, with some use of <br />mature riparian trees along Parachute Creek (CIG 1995). <br />There is no suitable raptor nesting habitat at the Parachute Site. <br />Impacts Activities proposed under the Commercial Mine Plan would have only <br />minor effects on raptors because nesting raptors are limited within the Piceance Site. <br />However, some previously used and potential nesting sites have been identified near <br />H-4 <br />