PERMFILE139144 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

West Ridge areas from spring through fall. The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is the • only species that remains in the area through the winter. No sharp-tailed grouse or sage grouse leks will be directly disturbed by mining, One sharp-tailed lek (Perley Green lek) lies within one-fourth mile of the initial mining area (Exhibit 2.7-2). The impact on this lek will be primarily noise associated with mining That could affect recruitment to the lek during the breeding period. However, impacts on the overall population in the area as a result of a reduction in attendance at this lek ore expected to remain low. This is because of the proportionately small numbers of birds out of the total local population that appear to breed at This lek. In addition there has been observed an interlek movement between this lek and what appears to be a more important lek (Maneotis lek, Exhibit 2.7-2). This tendency to move between leks may in part help mitigate the potential problem of noise at the mine affecting recruitment of birds to the Pearly Green lek. If the birds are disturbed by the noise, There is a possibility They will move to either the Maneotis or Hicks leks. One blue grouse breeding area in Section 30, TSN, R 85W (Exhibit 2.7-2) will be lost during year 7 of mining. Based upon the study observations (assuming that all hooting territories were occupied) the total number of blue grouse breeding in this • area ore low. Observations during the spring of 1980 showed that breeding occurred on almost every high ridge in the area (Exhibit 2.7-2). Unless all available territories on all ridges are occupied, the displaced roosters should be able to relocate and carry on breeding activities. All three species of grouse nested within the Moffat area. None ore known to have nested in the West Ridge area. Numbers of hens with broods appeared to be about in line with brood numbers in other areos. Impacts on hens with broods are expected to be low, as considerable similar habitat exists adjacenl to the areos 10 be disturbed. Only the sharp-tailed grouse winter on the property. Because of large quantities of food and cover (aspen, serviceberry and Gambel oak), low numbers, high mobility and tendency of these birds to move from area to area, no areas which could be classified as key to their survival are believed to exist in the areas to be disturbed. No other species of upland game birds will be significantly impacted during mining. No species of waterfowl are expected to be impacted during mining. • Some raptor nesting and hunting habitat will be IosT during mining. The total 2.7-64