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• The open meadow had no tree or shrub overstory and was dominated by herbaceous <br />graminoids and forbs. The species were the same as described for the oakbrush/mountain <br />shrub community. A narrow swale drainage; through the center of the azea was <br />dominated by sedges and spike rushes (Carex and Eleocharis species). The aspen <br />community along the fringes of the meadow was dominated by the same herbaceous <br />species in the understory, but contained an open shrub layer and an overstory dominated <br />by mature aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees. <br />RESULTS <br />Raptor Nest Survey ' <br />To satisfy the requirements of Coal Lease COC 61357 Stipulation 15(c)(1) (C) regazding <br />raptor presence, we conducted a survey for nesting raptors during ow habitat analysis <br />field investigation of the pad, road, and buffers. No raptors or raptor nests were observed <br />in the location of the exploration drill hole sites during ow on-site investigation. The <br />potential for adversely impacting nesting raptors is m;n;mal with this exploration drilling <br />project. <br />Bald and Golden Eagle Survey <br />• In compliance with Stipulation l5(c)(1) (A&B) we reseazched the presence of bald and <br />golden eagle nests, winter roost sites, and concentration azeas through the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To evaluate the proximity ofthe <br />proposed exploration activities to eagle use areas; the database of the Colorado State <br />University Natwal Diversity Information Sowce (recommended by the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife) was consulted. Eagle winter activity and other activity maps for <br />Delta and Gunnison counties were evaluated and are contained in the Appendix. <br />The North Fork Coal FEIS identifies bald eagles as winter residents along the North Fork <br />of the Gunnison in the azea of the Sanborn Creek Mine (USDA, USDI, 2000). Golden <br />eagles may be found in the azea year round. Neither bald or golden eagles aze noted as <br />having breeding areas in the vicinity of the exploration drill hole sites, although golden <br />eagle nesting in upper Hubbard Creek Canyon several miles to the west was documented <br />by the U.S. Forest Service. <br />Winter activities by bald and golden eagles in the vicinity are largely restricted to <br />foragittg, and bald eagle concentration azeas are generally confined to the ripazian <br />corridor along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Winter range for bald eagles <br />extends over the mountains north and south of the river. <br />Adverse impacts to bald and golden eagles aze unlikely from this project. <br />L 1 <br />-3- <br />