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pinyon jay, bighorn sheep, rainbow trout, brown trout, black bear, Colorado River cutthroat trout, peregrine falcon and bald eagle. The GMUG has completed aForest-wide M[S assessment based on the most current data available. This assesment describes species selected as MIS in [he Forest Plau, suitable MIS habitat on the GMUG National Forest, species biology and distribution, habitat relationships, Forest monitoring results where available, acrd population and habitat trend:; based on available information. This assessment may be referred to for more detailed information regarding MIS species on [he GMUG. From the list. of 17 Forest-wide MIS, three species (deer, elk, and hairy woodpecker) were .selected for detailed analysis in this project. These species were selected because they are indicative oldspecific habitats or ecosystems that are affected by this proposal, and populations or population trends can be efficiently monitored. Abert's squirrel, pine: marten Lewis' woodpecker, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Gunnison sage grouse were not selected because the project proposes no alteration of habitats which these species are associated with. The red crossbill and black beaz are not good indicators of effects of management activities associated with srttall openings in oakbrush or terttporary road consttuction/reconstrvction . The red crossbill is a highly nomadic species and irregular forest resident following abundant cone crops in a wide variety of forest types and conditions. The black bear is a ubiquitous species that thrives in many habitat types. Habitat which support or has potential to support Colorado River cutthroat, rainbow, or brown will not be affected by the proposed project. Bald eagle and peregrine falcon are evaluated in the Biological Assessment (BA) and Biological Evaluation (BE) for This project (project file). MIS habitat affected by activities associated with the proposal can be described as follows: Deciduous Shrublarats -This zone is found from 7,500 to 8,500 feet in elevation on all parts ~~f the District. Vegetation is dominated by Gambel oak, serviceberry and chokecherry. Understories include Kenrircky bluegrass, sedges and forbs. Succession in this t~~pe is strongly influenced by fire. Tltis area probably burned on a 15-25 year cycle. As with all vegetative zones, fire frequency has declined, and therefore much of the area is mature and dense. Again, this condition has most likely reduced available big gartte food :sources. Areas of this zone, especially the draws or cartyorr bottoms and :;ideslolres provide important elk winter acrd transitional range. Mature Gambel oak provides excellent hiding cover [o both deer and elk. Herbaceous understories and small openings within this zone are favored by deer and elk as feeding areas during spring green-up. The proposed project area acrd majority of the analysis area is within elk winter range as mapped by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). Stipulations on the coal lease restricts surface use ti•om December 1 through April 30Th to protect big game winter range. CDOW indicated that this area, especially the "canyons" and sideslopes aze used by elk. as winter range. 14