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<br />~ ~ RECEIVED <br />Wildlife Impact Statement OCT 19 X984 <br />MINED l!]g,N~p RECLgMgTIQy /~ <br />The proposed gravel pit will have little impact on thee(UE(~~O~N~fuME &13~e~(ON <br />ources <br />within the impact permit area and the surrounding area. Evaluations were made as <br />to impacts on threatened and endangered species and big game animals. Also <br />discussed are possible reclamation efforts for improved wildlife use of the <br />area. <br />1.0 Threatened and Endangered Species <br />Two threatened and endangered species are known to occur near the impact <br />area. Bald eagles (Halieetus leucocephalus) are sighted near the proposed site <br />during the winter months. However, the two or three birds normally counted are <br />downstream from the proposed site where suitable trees are available for perches. <br />The gravel pit will no[ impact this species. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife (1978) considers a1L land within one-half <br />mile of the Yampa River from the Highway 13 bridge to two miles downstream as <br />essential habitat for sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis). The species use this <br />area for staging and, to a small extent, for nesting. The proposed gravel pit <br />occurs within the extreme east portion of the essential habitat area. However, <br />existing disturbance already occurs from the Colorado-Ute pump house and the <br />close proximity of Colorado Highway 13. In addition, the majority of the crane <br />use occurs well downstream from this existing disturbance. The gravel pit will <br />not impact sandhill crane activities within the area. <br />Four species of fish [hat occur on the state and federal threatened and <br />endangered species list may inhabit the Yampa River near the proposed gravel pit. <br />There species are the Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub <br />(cilia cypha), bonytail chub (Gila elegans) and the humpback sucker (Xyrauchen <br />texanus). However, the sediment control structures to be used to control <br />probable discharge from the area will prevent a negative impact on these <br />species. <br />2.0 Big Game Species: <br />The proposed gravel site occurs in an area considered as critical winter <br />range for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and important range for elk (Cervus <br />elaphus). However, the proposed disturbance is small and sufficient forage and <br />