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occur. <br />• The limited scope and scale of the proposed action means that Gunnison sage <br />grouse habitat is not at risk, and population viability is not at risk. <br />• Based on current information, the project will have No Effect on the Gunnison <br />sage grouse. <br />Boreal toad: The boreal toad typically lives in damp conditions within the vicinity of <br />mazshes, wet meadows, streams, beaver ponds, glacial kettle ponds, and lakes <br />(Hammerson 1999). It is restricted to areas with suitable breeding habitat in spruce-fir <br />forests and alpine meadows and is generally found in suitable habitat between 8,500 and <br />11,500 feet in elevation. Boreal toads breed in any body of water lacking a strong current <br />and with gradually descending banks at some point around the perimeter. The primary <br />requirement for breeding apparently is the presence of shallow water. <br />Long-term and cumulative effects on boreal toads are not expected to occur based on the <br />knowledge that: <br />• Potential suitable habitat for the boreal does not exist within the Deer Creek Shaft <br />Project azea. <br />• The proposed project will not affect any habitat that would support boreal toads. <br />• No roads run through habitat capable of supporting boreal toads. <br />• Cumulafive adverse effects on boreal toads by proposed actions will not occur. <br />• The limited scope and scale of the proposed action means that boreal habitat is not <br />at risk, and population viability is not at risk. <br />• Based on current information, the project will have No Effect on the boreal toad. <br />BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION FOR SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />The USDA Forest Service, Region 2 lists a total of 58 terrestrial vertebrates, fish, <br />invertebrates and plant species, which occur, potentially occur, or habitat for which <br />occurs in the GMiJG as sensitive. A review of information on these species shows that <br />for 17 species either they aze known to occur or suitable habitat exists in this portion of <br />the Gunnison National Forest (See Table 2). The purpose of this section is to analyze the <br />effects of the proposed project, to determine if the proposed activities are likely to cause a <br />loss of viability or a trend towazd Federal listing under the Endangered Species Act for <br />any of these species. <br />9 <br />