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upon which other listed and Sensitive species rely. Approving this project with no mitigation measures for white-tailed prairie dogs, the BLM may contribute to the need to list this species as well as other imperiled species that depend on white-tailed prairie dogs. b. The Midget faded rattlesnake is known to occur in the project area The range of the midget faded rattlesnake includes a small area of southwestern Wyoming, northwestern Colorado, and adjacent Utah. Mineral exploration within its range will bring the snake into more frequent contact with people and motor vehicles, which, in tum, will increase snake mortality (NatureServe 2006). Being a ground dwelling species, the midget faded rattlesnake is especially susceptible to lazge scale surface disturbing activities within its habitat. c. The Grand buckwheat is known to occur in the project area Only thirty-four occurrences of the grand buckwheat are known globally. One of the most significant threats to the species is the proximity of roads (NatureServe 2006). The grand buckwheat is a species that is especially vulnerable to significant surface disturbing activities, such as a major coal mining operation within its habitat. d. The threatened Bald eagle may occur in the project area Although the bald eagle is moving towazds a full recovery after being severally threatened with extinction, the species still faces hurdles that can jeopardize its revival. Major threats to the bald eagle include habitat loss, disturbance by humans, and decreasing food supply (NatureServe 2006). This coal mine project and its associated disturbances will have a significant impact on the local natural environment, including impacts on potential bald eagle habitat and food supply. e. The endangered Kit fox may occur in the project area The kit fox is one of Colorado's most vulnerable species with less than 100 individuals in the state. The fox lives in the semi-desert shrub lands extending from Montrose to Grand Junction. A major threat to the kit fox is habitat loss due to conversion of the foxes' native grounds to agriculture and development usage (Colorado Division of Wildlife). f. The extremely rare and endangered Uinta basin hookless cactus may occur in the project area The greatest threat to the Uinta basin hookless cactus is habitat destruction or modification by development of energy extraction, water storage projects, transportation, and residential facilities. Nearly all populations of the cactus are threatened by these actions (NatureServe 2006). If individual Uinta basin hookless cactus occur in the project area, these individuals will be extremely vulnerable to significant surface disturbing activities, such as a large coal mine operation. Center for Native Ecosystems Page 3 of 24 Scoping Comments for the Proposed Red Cliff Coal Mine