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the Piceance Site evaporation pond, then netting of the pond will likely be required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the BLM. Impacts to waterfowl at the Parachute Site would be similar to those described for the Piceance Site, except that use of the four ponds at the Parachute Site is anticipated to be greater due to their overall greater size and their proximity to the Colorado River. Of these four ponds, the evaporation pond and the MVR purge pond (with a combined surface area of 38 acres) would have the greatest affect on waterfowl due to their relatively high TDS levels. Similarly to the Piceance Site, if either waterfowl mortality or potentially toxic fluid concentrations are documented through monitoring at these ponds, then netting will likely be required. H.5 Threatened and Endangered Species Special status species known to occur in the vicinity of the project are shown in Table H- 1, which was compiled in the process of developing the BLM Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Yankee Gulch Project Commercial Mine Plan. Of these, the following have been identified by the BLM as possibly being affected by the proposed action. H.5.1 Wildlife According to the BLM, the bald eagle (federally threatened) is known to make occasional use of the project area. Bald eagles occur as winter residents and migrants, foraging along riparian areas throughout the Piceance Creek and Parachute Creek basins. The Parachute Site and a portion of the southern end of the pipeline corridor have been classified as bald eagle winter range by the CDOW. The peregrine falcon (federally endangered) has also been mentioned as a species of concern relative to the proposed project. Peregrine falcons may occur anywhere throughout the project area during migration, but nesting habitats are typically found only on steep cliff faces. Such suitable habitats may occur at Davis Point, near a portion of the pipeline corridor. No known peregrine falcon nests have been identified at or near the Piceance Site, the pipeline corridor, or the Parachute Site. Impacts The proposed action will have negligible effects on bald eagle populations. Bald eagles are only occasional users of the project area. The evaporation ponds at either site may provide new foraging areas if waterfowl are attracted to the ponds. The relatively small numbers of waterfowl that may be consumed by bald eagles are not expected to have any effect on them. Peregrine falcon populations would not be impacted by the proposed project unless previously unknown nesting areas are identified near project facilities. The relatively H-7