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Hispanic community of Mesa County. Persons describing themselves as Hispanic or Latino represented 10.0 percent of the population, considerably less than the Colorado state figure for the same group, 1"1.1 percent. Blacks, American Indians, Asians and Pacific Islanders each accounted for less than one percent of the population, below the comparable state figure in all cases. The census counted 7.0 percent of the Mesa County population as living in families with incomes below the poverty line, compazed to 6.2 percent for the entire state. Both minority and low income populations are dispersed throughout the county. Environmental Consequences/Miti ag lion: Minority and low-income populations of the county aze small relative to state-wide averages and such populations aze dispersed throughout the county. Therefore, no minority or low-income populations would suffer disproportionately high and adverse effects as a result of any of the alternatives. FARMLANDS, PRIME AND UNIQUE Affected Environment: There aze no Prime and Unique Farmlands affected by this proposal. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: None FLOODPLAINS Affected Environment: There aze no floodplains associated with the proposed action. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: None INVASNE, NON-NATNE SPECIES Affected Environment: This azea was inventoried for noxious weeds during the 2002 field season. No noxious weeds were found along the proposed routes. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: The low impact of the machine does not trigger significant weed issues. The machine will need to be pressure washed as per slips to prevent transport of weed seed to the sites. This is particularly important for the overland routes where a new infestation would be difficult to find in a timely manner. MIGRATORY BIItDS Affected Enviromnent: Birds of Conservation Concern (USFWS 2002) that may inhabit the project area and surrounding landscape include Swainson's hawk, ferruginous hawk, burrowing owl, and sage sparrow. The proposed upgraded road segment to drill site 12 would approach within 1 /3 mile of a golden eagles nest site. Horned larks and meadowlazks are also likely present. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: The proposed action would be unlikely to affect any ofthe above-mentioned species, with the exception ofpossible impacts to sage sparrows, horned lazks, and western meadowlarks due to the overland travel routes. Because of sparse habitat and low nesting densities, risk to these species is low and can be further minimized by avoiding denser stands of desert shrubs when flagging the overland routes. With this precaution, risk of and would not constitute a measurable negative impact to local populations and implementation of the proposed action would not violate the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Colorado Division of Wildlife guidelines (2002) for protection of raptor nests recommend a 1 /4 mile buffer between activity sites and nest locations. Because drill site 12 is slightly further than the 1/4 mile