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Permeability is moderate. Available water capacity is low. Runoff is rapid and hazard of water erosion is high. Wrayha-Rabbitex-Veatch Complex are moderately deep, well drained soils on mountainsides. The native vegetation is mainly brush, shrubs and grasses. The average frost-free period is 80 to 100 days. The soil material contains small amounts of Castner channery loam, Glendive fete sandy loam, Redcreek sandy loam, Rentsac channery loam and Rhone loam. Permeability of this Veatch soil is moderate. Available water capacity is moderate. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is moderate to very high. Threatened or Endangered Species Impact of exploration activities on wildlife and Threatened and Endangered species are being addressed in an environmental assessment developed by the BLM. A copy of the report on the environmental assessment will be forwazded to the Division upon completion by the BLM. The known target species for Garfield and Mesa Counties are the Bald Eagle, Bonytail, Canada lynx, Colorado pikeminnow, Phacelia submutica, Hmnpback chub, Mexican spotted owl, Penstemon debilis (Parachute beazdtongue), Razorback sucker, Sclerocactus glaucus (Uinta Basin hookless cactus), and Yellow-billed cuckoo. The bald eagle could occur within the boundaries of the proposed exploration azea, especially for brief periods during the winter months. Bald eagles wintering along the Colorado River in western Colorado will frequently hunt in areas ecologically similar to the habitat found within the proposed exploration azea, although their preferred habitat in this region is along the riparian zone of the Colorado River. According to a USFW 2002 biological opinion, depletions of 100 acre-feet or less are not likely to adversely affect endangered fishes and or their critical habitat Water required for this drilling project will be imported. It is estimated this drilling project will consume 0.35 acre feet if all 16 holes are drilled. Therefore, there should be no impact to the Bonytail, Colorado Pikeminnow, Humpback chub or the Razorback sucker. According to VHF and Satellite monitoring of the Canada Lynx by the USFW, it does not appear there have been Caziada Lynx in the area of the 2006-drilling project, so there should be no impact on this species. There have been no sightings of the Yellow-billed cuckoo and it does not appear the drilling area contains their critical habitat. Reseazch shows the preferred habitat of the yellow- billed cuckoo is woodlands near streams, rivers or lakes. As this habitat is not foetid in the exploration area, there should be no effect on this species. There have been no known sightings of the Mexican spotted owl and it does not appear the drilling area contains their preferred habitat. The Mexican spotted owl prefers a habitat consisting of forested mountains and canyons with mature trees that create high, closed • canopies, which are good for nesting. This type of habitat is not found in the drilling project boundary, therefore there should be no effect on this species.