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Coal Methane DminaRe Projert - Panek 16-74 Wert E!k Mine • PaAe 3-01 <br />area is typically in a bmshy growth form. This is partially due to the steep slopes, shallow soils and <br />moisture regimes. There is little oak age class diversity represented in this area. <br />3.2.1.1 Management Indicator Species <br />Considering project effects on Management Indicator Species (MIS) is a way to measure species <br />viability at the Forest level. MIS are identified in the 1991 Amended Land and Resource Management <br />Plan (Forest Plan). The GMUG National Forest has completed a Management Indicator Species <br />Assessment for twelve out of seventeen MIS identified in the Forest Plan (GMUG MIS Assessment, <br />June 2001). This project MIS assessment is tiered to the 2001 Forest-wide assessment. From the list <br />of 17 MIS species, 3 were selected for project analysis based on the following criteria: <br />1) Species that occur within the analysis area <br />2) Species indicative of specific habitats or ecosystems that aze affected in the analysis azea <br />3) Species whose populations or population trends can be efficiently monitored <br />MIS species selected for analysis include; elk which represent early successional forest habitats of <br />aspen, spruce-fir, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and mountain shrub communities; mule deer which <br />represent early succession ponderosa pine, pinyon/juniper, oakbrush and sagebmsh habitat types; and <br />hairy woodpecker which represents snag habitats in all forested habitat types. MIS species not <br />analyzed (and the rationale for their exclusion) include: <br />• Abert's squirrel, pine marten, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Gunnison sage grouse (project <br />would not alter habitats associated with these species) <br />• Lewis' woodpecker, and goshawk (suitable habitat within the project area is very limited) <br />• Red crossbill (highly nomadic species and irregulaz forest resident found in a wide variety of <br />forest types and conditions} <br />• Black bear (ubiquitous species that thrives in many habitat types) <br />• Colorado River cutthroat, rainbow, or brown trout (habitat not affected by the project) <br />• Bald eagle and peregrine falcon (distribution is fairly limited on the Forest with no known <br />occurrences in the project azea) <br />AU habitat types within the analysis area aze suitable elk habitat. Elk preference, seasonal distribution, <br />and use of these habitats aze influenced by numerous factors including snow depth, forage quality and <br />availability, competition with domestic livestock, and disturbance from human activity. Elk prefer <br />habitats with a mix of large cover patches interspersed with grass meadows that are relatively Eree <br />from human disturbance. The project azea is primarily used as spring/calving and transition range by <br />elk. In this area, elk calving occurs from eazly May to the end of)une, with peak activity azound eazly <br />June. Elk have been observed in the project area during spring/calving season, summer and fall <br />seasons. During winter, elk concentrate on the north and west side of Mount Lamborn and <br />Landsend Peak. Elk use the steeper drainages and sideslopes of Raven Gulch, Deep Creek, Sylvester <br />Gulch, and Box Canyon as movement corridors and security azeas. <br />The Sunset Trail azea is south of the project area. It provides preferred elk habitat conditions with <br />pure aspen stands intermixed with wet meadow and glacial kettles and is currently relatively free from <br />human disturbance. Elk habitat conditions on rangelands have improved within the cumulative <br />impact area since the eazly 1900's. Livestock numbers have been reduced from historical levels and <br />Environmental. Lrerrment <br />ViVP/Nrv'. (d G/EA/O.yf i/I/O)EI USFS <br />J/S/@cY <br />