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IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ,/ ~I~i <br />5(`~ EXHIBIT H R ~~ ` <br />WILDLIFE <br />The following is a report prepared by Mark A. Heffner <br />of Oikos Environmental Services. <br />The site has a limited utility for wildlife because of <br />its agricultural use. Areas where natural vegetation is <br />l found can support fairly large populations of birds and <br />small mammals. The wetlands support many birds including <br />blackbirds, ducks, grebes and various wading birds. Muscrat <br />probably occurs here, too. <br />The Riparian lands support many small mammals including <br />l several species of rodents. Also, fox and deer could be <br />I found here. Among birds would be many songbird species includ- <br />ing sparrows, warblers, woodpeckers and other tree-clinging <br />7 species. Raptors would include various hawks, owls and, in <br />1 winter, Bald Eagles. Great Blue Herons may also use the <br />Riparian and swamp areas. <br />The Bald Eagle occurs in the area during winter and uses <br />the trees for roosting and fishing perches. It is an endangered <br />I species. Other than an effect on Bald Eagles, impact on wild- <br />life should be minimal to moderate. Aquatic habitat will <br />increase, but the treed Riparian habitat will probably decrease. <br />Large trees along the river should be allowed to remain in <br />I place in order to alleviate some of the effect on the eagles. <br />Consideration should be given to planting trees as part of the <br />reclamation plan so that eventually some of the habitat loss <br />will be replaced. <br />I -25- <br />