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DISCUSSION OF EFFECTS AND RATIONALE <br />Sensitive Species -Terrestrial Vertebrates <br />Townsend's big-eared bat: Townsend's big-eared bats have not been formally <br />documented in the project area. Townsend's big-eared bats are consistently found in <br />azeas with canyons or cliffs. Townsend's big-eazed bats roost in exposed, open azeas in <br />cool, damp caves or mine tunnels, old buildings, and at rocky outcroppings. Townsend's <br />big-eared bat foraging habitat is comprised ofjuniper/pine forests, shrub steppe <br />grasslands, deciduous forest, and mixed coniferous forests from sea level to 10,000 feet <br />elevation. It forages near tree and shrub foliage for moths and other flying insects. <br />Suitable reproductive, roosting, and migration/dispersal habitat does not occur within the <br />proposed project area. The proposed project will not affect big-eared bat suitable <br />reproductive, foraging or migration dispersal habitat. <br />Long term and cumulative impacts on Townsend's big-eared bats aze not expected to <br />occur. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of <br />Townsend's big-eared bat towards federal listing. <br />Fringed myotis: Fringed myotis bats have not been formally documented in the project <br />azea. The fringed myotis is considered to be uncommon in Colorado. They have been <br />found in ponderosa pine woodlands, greasewood, oak brush, and saltbush shrub lands. <br />Caves, mines and buildings aze used as both day and night roosts. Reproductive and <br />hibernation sites include caves and buildings, both of which aze lacking in the project <br />azea. <br />The proposed project will not impact fringed myotis suitable reproductive, roosting, and <br />migration/dispersal habitat. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or <br />result in a trend of fringed myotis towazds federal listing. <br />Spotted bat: No spotted bat occurrence has been formally documented within the <br />proposed project azea. Potential reproductive habitats for spotted bat aze crevices high up <br />on steep cliff faces. Cracks and crevices in limestone or sandstone cliffs are critical <br />roosting sites. Potential foraging habitat for spotted bat includes open ponderosa pine <br />and Pinyon juniper forests, open desert scrub shrub land, open pasture and hay fields. <br />Spotted bat suitable reproductive, roosting, and migration/dispersal habitat, in the <br />presence of cliffs and rocky outcroppings occurs in the general area, but not within the <br />proposed project location. <br />The proposed project will not impact spotted bat suitable reproducfive, roosting, and <br />migration dispersal habitat. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or <br />result in a trend of spotted bat towazds federal listing. <br />Wolverine: The status of the wolverine in Colorado is unknown at this time (CDOW <br />2004). The CDO W has conducted surveys in the state, but have not found any definitive <br />evidence of any wolverines. Wolverines are wide ranging and occur in low densities in <br />11 <br />