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• WILDLIFE The project area is an important range for deer, elk, and bear. Other animals in the project azea include coyote, rabbit, porcupine, beaver, squirrel, mice and other rodents. The proposed Exploration Drill hole project will be managed to avoid conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting season. Operations will be located such as to not interfere with raptor nesting sites, including Golden and Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES Previous Threatened and Endangered (T&E) clearance surveys have not identified threatened or endangered plant or animal species on West Flat Iron, Dry Fork, or within adjacent coal exploration areas of Ravens Gulch or Sylvester Gulch. A Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Site Clearance Surveys for Dri]] Pad EEE will be provided once it is completed. It is the intent of Mountain Coal Company that none of the TES species that could potentially occur within the Gunnison National Forest would be adversely impacted by the proposed project. The Exploration Drill hole pad is within the area covered by the Final West-Central Colorado Coal Environmental Statement prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior, • BLM, 1979. The portion applicable to this section is covered on pages 573 through 582. The EIS concluded that no threatened or endangered plants (pp.573-577), or aquatic species (pp. 580-582) exist in the area. The only endangered wildlife species is the bald eagle, which does inhabit the North Fork Gunnison Valley during the winter months. Additional studies include: • "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Clearance Surveys for 96-27-1 Offset and SbM-124" June 2001 • "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Clearance Surveys for Sites 96-27-1, SOM-21, SOM-50, SOM-123, SOM-126, RAV-2, RAV-8, RAV-8 Alt A, RAV-8 Alt B, RAV-10, BBB, High Pressure Hose and Access Road" July 2001 • "West Elk Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Clearance Surveys for Drill Sites AAA and BBB" November 1998 • "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Clearance Surveys for Sites 15-01, 15-02, 15-03, 16-01, and 16-04" Aug ust 2001 • "Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Drill Site Clearance Surveys for Drill Pad Site 14-07" August 2001 The proposed Exploration Drilling will occur in the late summer and eazly fall of 2001, and avoid riparian habitats to the extent possib]e. Operations will be located so as not to • interfere with raptor nesting sites; and managed to minimize conflicts with the deer and elk on winter range and the user during big game hunting seasons.