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• 97 percent of their diet throughout their range (Koehler and Aubry 1994). However, red squirrels
<br />also provide an important food source, especially during periods of low snowshoe hate
<br />population numbers (Apps 2000). During the summer, grouse and small mammal species also
<br />are taken, but snowshoe hares are typically still the Canada lynx's main prey item (Tumlison
<br />1987). Snowshoe hares and red squirrels occur in a variety of forest types, and as a result, lynx
<br />habitat use is associated with a diversity of forest age and structural classes. Red squirrels
<br />inhabit mature, cone-producing forests, while the greatest numbers of snowshoe hares typically
<br />occur in younger seral stage forests. Suitable habitat for snowshoe hate and red squirrel are
<br />lacking in or near the Oxbow project. area.
<br />The Gunnison National Forest has mapped Lynx Analysis Units (LAUs) and potential habitat for
<br />the Canada lynx within the LAUs in accordance with the criteria specified in the Lynx
<br />Conservation and Strategy (Ruediger et al. 2000) (Lynx Habitat Map, GMUG National Forest,
<br />1/8/02, Paonia Ranger District office}. The Oxbow project area is not within a designated LAU
<br />and suitable denning and foraging habitat for lynx is not present in or near the project area.
<br />Therefore, development of the coal refuse facility is unlikely to have any adverse effects on lynx
<br />• or areas of preferred habitat.
<br />References Cited
<br />Apps, C: D. 2000. Space-use, diet, demographics, and topographic associations of lynx in the
<br />southern Canadian Rocky Mountains: a study. Chapter 12 In Ruggiero, L.F., K. B. Aubry,
<br />S. W. Buskirk, G. M. Koehler, C. J. Krebs, K. S. McKelvey, and J. R. Squires. (Tech. Eds.).
<br />Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. Univ. Press of Colorado. Boulder,
<br />CO. 480 pp•
<br />Buskirk, S. W., L. F. Ruggiero, and C. J. Krebs. 2000. Habitat fragmentation and interspecific
<br />competition: implications for lynx conservation. Chapter 4 In Ruggiero, L.F., K. B. Aubry,
<br />S. W. Buskirk, G. M. Koehler, C. J. Krebs, K. S. McKelvey, and J. R. Squires. (Tech. Eds.).
<br />Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. Univ. Press of Colorado. Boulder,
<br />CO. 480 pp.
<br />Green, N. 1985. The bald eagle. pp. 509-531 In: DiSilvestro, R. L. (ed.), 1985. The Audubon
<br />wildlife report. The National Audubon Society, New York. 671 pp.
<br />Koehler, G.M. 1990. Population and habitat characteristics of lynx and snowshoe hares in
<br />north central Washington. Canadian Journal of Zoology 68(5):845-851.
<br />Koehler, G.M. and K.B. Aubry. 1994. Lynx. pp. 74-98 In: Ruggiero, L.F., K.B. Aubry, S.W.
<br />• Buskirk, L.J. Lyon, and W.J. Zielinski (tech. eds.). The scientific basis for conserving forest
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