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CoalMelhane Drainage Project- Pane6 16-24 We/t E!k Mine • Page 3-76 The Lewis' woodpecker prefers lowland and foothill riparian forests, agricultural areas, and urban areas with tall deciduous trees. In this area it is commonly observed foraging in agriculmral areas of the lower valley. Both dead and live trees are used as nest sites and foraging perches. The purple martin inhabits open woodland, aspen forests, pazks, residential areas, and agricultural land. Purple martins are a cavity nester and form colonies where nesting habitat is available. Aspen adjacent to meadows, lakes, or wetlands aze preferred. Other habitats include old growth aspen, mixed aspen/ponderosa pine or Douglas fir, deuduous riparian woodlands, burns with snags especially near water. The project area contains suitable habitat for this species and its presence in the project area is considered very likely, although not confirmed. Included in the category of Endangered "Big-River" fishes aze the bonytail (Gila elegara), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptycbocbeilut luciur), Humpback chub (Gila cypba), and razorback sucker (Xyraucben texauttr). None of these species occur within the analysis azea, but any actions that result in water depletion within the upper Colorado River Basin would have an adverse effect on critical habitat for these species. The Canada lynx is most closely associated with spruce-fir and mixed aspen/conifer habitats in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Other habitat types utilized include mixed conifer, aspen, willow riparian, and upland mountain shrub commutilties in proximity to the primary habitat types. The GMUG National Forest has mapped Lynx Analysis Units (i.AU's) and potential habitat for the Canada lynx in accordance with the criteria specified in the Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy (Lynx Habitat Map, GMUG National Forest 1/8/02, Paonia District office). The LAU's are mapped to include potential habitat within the approximate home range of a pair of lynx. The majority of lynx habitat within the Mount Gunnison LAU is located on the flank of Mount Gunnison in an elevational band of approximately 8,400 to 9,400 feet. Habitat consists of pure aspen and aspen-space-fir forest. The spruce-fu component makes up less than 40 percent of the cover type. This area has been mapped as low quality lynx habitat, capable of becoming but not currently denning or winter foraging habitat (GMUG Lynx Habitat Map, 1/8/2002). The majority of the project azea is lower in elevation (less than 8,000 feet). This azea is primazily oak brush with small pockets of aspen. This mix of vegetation types is not considered lynx habitat. The steep north facing slopes of the primary drainages (Box Canyon, East Sylvester Gulch and Sylvester Creek) in the project azea contain spruce-fir and Douglas fir. Although these habitat types aze mapped as denning habitat within the project azea, they are patchy and small. These areas are disconnected fzom the aspen/spruce-fix forested habitat mentioned above. Canada lynx have likely been very rare in the Southem Rocky Mountains. Beginning in 1999, the CDOW reintroduced lynx into the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. At this time, there has not been any long-term use of the West Elk Mountains ox adjacent areas by any of the introduced lynx. Habitat for spotted bat is arid, rough desert terrain, and ponderosa pine. Spotted bat will use cliffs for roosting. Most trapping records have been associated with water sources. Townsend's big-eazed bat inhabits shrub-steppe, forest edge, pinyon juniper, and moist forest types. It usually roosts in caves, mine shafts, rock outcrops, lava tubes and occasionally in buildings. This species usually roosts on the more open surface where it is more susceptible to disturbance. Tree cavities and crevices on cliffs may occasionally be used for daytime roosting. Habitat in the analysis area for these species are cliffs, especially over perennial water sources. Tiger salamanders range throughout much of North America. The species range throughout Colorado at elevations up to 12,000 feet. Tiger salamanders occur in virtually any habitat as long as there is a body of non-flowing water nearby for breeding. They inhabit ponds, lakes, and reservoirs from ten feet across to several acres. Sunny, mud-bottomed ponds at least 18-24 inches deep with a 1 LJ Environmental Amument ' I~ipPlAluru~G1G/EIl0..tr l///01E/ USFI 1/S/01 JY