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_. Unless there were observations of a specific nature big game including deer, ells and bears aze not <br />discussed for each site. There was evidence of deer and ells activity at all sites and both species <br />were observed on several occasions. The amount of activity within the azea was about what <br />would be expected in this azea given the vegetation communities and topography. Beazs were <br />observed on two occasions and there was considerable evidence (tracks and scat) of their being <br />active throughout the area. <br />GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING T & E AND SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />In reviewing the list of species and their habitat requirements provided by the USFS the <br />conclusion can be drawn that habitat for most of these species is lacking or of poor quality at, and <br />azound, all proposed drill sites and access roads. In all but one situation no riparian, wetland or <br />stream habitat will be affected by activities associated with the drilling operations: The one <br />situation is at proposed drill site GVB-D-8-C where the access road and drill site are adjacent to a <br />riparian area. However, in this case there is an existing road that will be upgraded with minimal <br />disturbance and the drill site can be located out of the bottom, <br />All roads and sites are located well away from streams and ponds precluding the possibility of <br />affecting fish habitat not only in the area, but frther downstream and in major drainages. This <br />a]so n,inimi~~s the possibility of amphibians being impacted. <br />Suitable habitat is lacking for the only ground dwelling mammals listed, lynx and black-footed <br />ferret. Spotted and big eazed bats may occur in the area, but no habitat they would use for <br />a ' roosting or lu~ernaculums would be affected by activities associated with the 'llin~ operations. <br />Given the habitat requirements of many bird species listed as either T&E or sensitive the <br />possibility of affecting any habitat important to these species is minimal There is a possibility that <br />the area might be used by some of the species: However, no habitat considered to be critical to <br />most of the species will be affected. The only species commonly using shrubby habitats would be <br />the loggerhead shnke, but in this case there are large expanses of suitable habitat that would <br />remain unaffected by the operations. A minor amount of Douglas fir would be affected that could <br />be possibly used by Mexican spotted owls, but the amount would be minimal and the low <br />probability of these birds occurring in the area further reduces the risk of affecting the birds. No <br />riparian habitat that might be used by species such as the southwestern willow flycatcher would be <br />lost due to road and drill pad site construction. <br />When considering potential impacts to any listed bird species timing of drilling activities must be <br />taken into consideration. Proposed drilling activities will occur after the nesting season which <br />means the birds will have fledged and in many cases began migrating to wintering areas. Further, <br />there will be small amounts of habitat affected and changes in vegetation patterns could actually <br />be beneficial to some of these as well as other non-listed species. <br />2 <br />