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10/27/1999 08:37 9708567819 MONARCH & ASSOCIATES <br />r~ <br />L <br />• <br />PAGE OQ <br />during migration. However, there are only three birds known to still exist from the original <br />population that was classified three years ago as anon-essential experimental population. These <br />few birds and the fact that this is not a common migration route for these birds further reduces the <br />chances that any would visit the area. <br />The Southwestern willow flycatcher is listed as endangered by both the FINS and CROW. None <br />of these birds have been observed in the vicinity of the mine and suitable nesting habitat is lacking <br />in this area. Lack of birds being observed and suitable habitat along with minimal human activity <br />at the mine significantly mieimizes the chances that any of these birds could be affected by <br />activities at the mine. <br />Currently there is a proposal to list the mountain plover as a threatened spectres. There have been a <br />few sighfings of this bird in Moffat County, but none of these were in the area of the mtne. <br />Further, based upon findings from other studies habitat suitable for nesting and brood rearing is <br />probably lacking along the Williams Fork River in the vicinity of the mine. Thus, the potential risk <br />of any impacts on these birds is probably non-existent. <br />Fish <br />The Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail chub aze all listed az <br />endangered by both the FWS and CDOW. Critical habitat has been designated for these species in <br />the Yampa River from its confluence with the Green River upstream to where Colorado State <br />Highway 13 crosses the river. These species are all dependent on the water quality and quantity in <br />this portion of the Yampa River. However, no new expansions involving surface disturbance or <br />removal of water from the river through pumping is anticipated during the life of this permit. <br />Thus, the possibility of any impacts to the species is very minimal. <br />Amphibiaee <br />Currently, the boreal toad is proposed for listing by the FWS and is listed as endangered by the <br />CDOW. No habitat suitable for this species is known rA occur within the permit area. Thus, there <br />would not be any impacts on this species from proposed activities associated with the mine. <br />Plsnt~ <br />Ute ladies'-tresses aze listed as an threatened species. They are found along streams in gravelly <br />soils in oz-bows and side channels within the 100 year floodplain of the Yampa River to an <br />elevation of 6500 fcet Although the surface elevation of the mice is below 6500 feet is not within <br />the 100 year lloodplain of the Yampa River. Other existing conditions further reduce the chance of <br />any of these plants occttring within the permit area. <br />Dudley Bluffs (Picearrce) twinpod are listed as threatened by the FWS and shown as occuring in <br />Moffat County. However, from discussions with FWS biologists it appears this is a typographical <br />error and this species should not be shown as occuring in Moffat County. <br />u <br />