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6.4.8 EXHIBIT H -WILDLIFE INFORMATION <br />Common Species in Area <br />The Gardels Pit site is within the area occupied by numerous wildlife species including <br />mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Canada <br />geese (eranta canadensis), ducks, various raptors and small mammals (Olmstead, <br />1999). Both deer species move up and down the river and both move from the river to <br />feed in nearby agricultural (Olmstead, 1999). The project site provides potential nesting <br />habitat for a number of raptor species including Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainson~), <br />Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), American kestrel (Falco sparverius) and great- <br />horned owl (Bubo virginianus). Each of these raptor species probably forages on and <br />near the site and may nest nearby. No raptor nest sites were observed in trees on the <br />site during June 2002 field surveys. However, one adult and two juvenile great-horned <br />owls were frequently observed in the riparian corridor adjacent to the site. Golden <br />eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are reported to forage in the area on a regular basis <br />{Olmstead, 1999). Additionally, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and striped skunk (Mephitis <br />mephitis) were observed. Other mammalian predators likely to use the area include <br />coyote (Canis latrans) and raccoon (Procyon lotor). <br />Wildlife Habitat in Area <br />The east pit area consists of two cultivated fields dominated by alfalfa. These are under <br />cultivation during the 2002 growing season. Grass-lined ditches surround the fields. The. <br />ditches are dominated by a mix of smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis), crested <br />wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), and intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia). <br />The west pit consists of a weedy field that was formerly under alfalfa cultivation. Parts of <br />the field are dominated by grass, principally cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), stinkgrass <br />(Eragrostis cilianensis) and intermediate wheatgrass. Other areas are dominated by <br />weedy forbs, including marshelder (Iva xanthifolia), curlycup gumweed (Grindelia <br />squarrosa), buffalobur (Solanum rostratum) and scattered remnants of alfalfa. Bare <br />ground among the forbs is approximately 80%. <br />The Big Thompson River with its associated riparian corridor is adjacent to the south <br />side of the proposed permit area. The riparian corridor provides a movement corridor for <br />deer and mammalian predators. Vegetation in the riparian corridor includes scattered <br />stands of sandbar willow (Salix exigua) and herbaceous species such as smooth brome <br />(Bromopsis inermis), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), cattail (Typha officinale) <br />and poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). There is also an overstory of plains <br />cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) and Russian olive (Ealeagnus angustifolia). The <br />riparian corridor provides habitat for a wide variety of bird and mammal species. <br />Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species <br />Gardels Pit <br />Regular 112 Permit Application <br />