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io - <br /> <br /> There is limited suitable habitat for some USFS and BLM listed Sensitive Species. Of <br /> these species the only terrestrial wildlife species observed were the northern harrier and <br />= olive-sided flycatcher. The limited amount of habitat removed wilt have no impact on <br /> these and other sensitive species. All Sensitive Species are addressed in the Biological <br /> Evaluation that is part of this report. <br /> The bluehead sucker is the only USFS listed Sensitive fish species found in waters that <br /> may be affected by the proposed project. It is found in the lower reaches of Hubbard <br />~, Creek. The Elk Creek Federal Coal Lease stipulates that Oxbow must stay back 500 feet <br /> from Hubbazd Creek and implement measures to preclude sediment leaving any disturbed <br /> areas. <br /> Rocky Mountain Thistle is the only USFS and BLM listed Sensitive plant species <br />' observed. This plant was only found on previously disturbed sites. Additional activity in <br /> the area will not have an impact on this species. <br />USFS listed Management Indicator Species do occur on the property. Of these, only elk <br />and the red-nailed sapsucker were observed. These species aze commonly observed in <br />the azea and the limited amount of habitat affected will not adversely affect these species. <br />Habitat on USFS lands for other listed species is limited or lacking. All MIS are <br />addressed in the MIS section of this report. <br />C Raptor nesting is common in Aspen and Douglas-fir habitat in the project azea. Raptor <br />nesting does not occur in Gambel oaklmountain shrub habitat. No nests were found in <br />Pinyon juniper and nesting is uncommon in this habitat type when there are more suitable <br />locations in neazby areas. Most drill sites are located in mountain shrub habitat where no <br />raptor nesting occurs. There are lazge expanses of aspen where nesting can occur and the <br />removal of small azeas for pads and roads would not be expected to affect nesting <br />{ j activity. Douglas-fir is found on steep slopes where pad and road construction would be <br />I^ limited, reducing the potential impacts on raptor nesting in these areas. <br />' Many species of neo-tropical birds were observed during breeding bird surveys. Habitat <br />for these species is not limited in the project area. The minor amount of habitat to be <br />disturbed will not affected the viability of any of these species. <br />Other species of wildlife observed are common in the area. The lazge expanses of suitable <br />habitat in comparison to the small amount of habitat that will be disturbed by the <br />j proposed operations means that the viability of these species within the project area will <br />not be affected. <br />PROJECT AREA <br />The project encompassed an area of approximately 18 square miles. Land ownership in <br />the project area includes National Forest, BLM and private. Portions of the project azea <br />along the North Fork of the Gunnison River, and the lower portions of Beat and Hubbazd <br />kb <br /> <br />