REP49238 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

_. Approval of P~ht's permit would carry with it requirements to comply with two performance standards of particular relevance to listed species. First, Pftl must report any future observations of listed species on or adjacent to [he mine area. Sightings of nesting, roosting or evidence of Ferret activity would be promptly reported to OSMRE and the USF19S for appropriate action. Routine observations of tra~isient species would be reported in annual reports. The other performance standard requires electric transmission Facility designs that minimize the electrocution hazard to raptors and other large birds. This would protect any Falcons or eagles using the site For perching. Impact Assessment lhooping Crane The nearest documented presence of whooping cranes to the Euna site is along the Yampa River, some 11 miles north of the mine. This presence is during migration; and, there is no nesting in the mine vicinity. Due to the transient nature of whoopi~ig crane use of this portion of Colorado, there is no documented, crucial use of the habitats on the Edna site. The habitat most likely to be visited by transient cranes, the 'Grout Creek riparian habitat, is not proposed to be disturbed. The unlikely use of the area and the avoidance of the riparian habitat form the basis Eor OSt•LkE's conclusion that the whooping crane would not be affected by the proposed action. Peregrine Falcon This species is also a potential migrant through the Edna mine area. There has been no reported nesting of peregrine Falcons anywhere on or near the proposed action area. Since the most probable use of the site would Ise during brief periods of migration, falcon activities woulu include hunting and perching as the opportunities arose. The proposed action ,:ould not prelude the pOtent131, opportunistic use of the undisturbed or reclaimed habitats. Similar prey species would remain available and power poles would be safe for Falcon perching. Based on these Factors, OS.-IRE concludes that the proposed action would not aFFect the peregrine Falcon. Bald Ea,~1e This species is considered a winter resident in the Euna mine vicinity, particularly along the Yampa River, north of the mine site. As of this writing. there are no known winter roosts For bald eagles on or near the Edna site. The riparian zone on the Edna site is dominated by willows so eagle perching would most likely occur in the upland areas. During the baseline wildlife surveys, PE,id did not observe any bald eagles on or near the site. As with the peregrine Falcon, the proposed action would not preclude continued use of the site by bald eagles. the Edna site is well within the Foraging range of any Yampa River eagles; and, reclaimed lands would support bald eagle prey Eor such potential activity. Power poles would not present an electrocution hazard to bald eagles visiting [he site. OSt~fILL', therefore, concludes that the proposed action would not aFFect the bald eagle.