2008-04-22_PERMIT FILE - X200822901 (4)

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Wildlife: The sagebrush, pastureland and mixed brush vegetation types in this area support a variety of wildlife species. Information on wildlife in the vicinity of the Cow Camp area was obtained from federal and state agencies, as well as, site-specific studies for adjacent coal properties. BLM and Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), in partnership with CNHP, keep information on area wildlife including big game and game birds and other species of concern. This includes federally- and state- listed threatened and endangered (T&E) species, and other species considered to be rare or of special interest. SCC conducts annual site-specific surveys of the Cow Camp area as part of its mine permit reclamation monitoring requirements for both the Seneca II and Yoast mines. Bi Gg ame: The project area provides good year-round habitat for deer, elk and pronghorn. The CDOW and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have identified winter range and critical winter range within the project and adjacent areas (Natural Diversity Information Source; http://www. ndis.nrel.colostate.edu; accessed 4/7/08). Aerial surveys conducted in 2007 by SCC mapped elk herds wintering along the eastern edge of the project area. Map 2, Cow Camp Project Area Wildlife Habitat, shows wildlife habitats of importance identified by state and federal wildlife agencies, as well as results of the 2007 SCC wildlife survey. Raptors: The project area contains potential habitat for raptors, including known nesting sites in the sandstone cliffs along the eastern and southern boundary. CDOW data includes historic nest sites of golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and other Buteo species. Map 2 shows raptor habitats identified by SCC in their annual wildlife surveys. Adjacent areas contain historic nest locations for great horned owl and prairie falcon. Bald eagles are listed as a state threatened species. CDOW data shows a historic bald eagle nest location approximately 2 miles north of the project area, as well as, winter range along the Yampa River corridor. The ferruginous hawk and peregrine falcon are state listed species of concerns, as well as on the BLM's sensitive species list. Their occurrence in the area is likely, however, there are no known nest locations in or near the Cow Camp area (CDOW data shows the nesting distribution for the ferruginous hawk further to the west in Moffat County). Game Birds: Greater sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (both state and BLM species of concern) are known to inhabit and/or utilize the area. Map 3, Grouse Leks in the Cow Camp Project Area, shows grouse habitat in the project area. CDOW mapping, as well as SCC site-specific surveys has identified 10 sage grouse (2 active) and 16 sharp-tailed grouse leks (13 active) within or immediately adjacent to the proposed Cow Comp project boundary. Additional Leks likely exist in the general vicinity. CDOW, in partnership with federal land management agencies, recently implemented a conservation plan for the greater-sage grouse (Colorado Greater-sage-grouse Conservation Plan, CDOW, 2008). The plan recommends a 0.6 mile buffer for Greater sage-grouse and a 0.4 mile buffer for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. Exploration sites CCU019 and CCU030 are within 0.6 miles of an active sage- grouse lek. Exploration sites CCU012, 025, 028 and 033 are within 0.4 miles of an active sharp-tailed grouse lek. CDOW does not anticipate any long-term negative impacts to the breeding habitat as a result of the exploration activities. To minimize short-term impacts, CCR will schedule the exploration activities at these six sites outside the nesting season which takes place during May and June. In addition, CCR will conduct a field reconnaissance prior to initiating the exploration to ensure that the drill pad is not directly on top of an active lek. If necessary, a drill pad encroaching on a lek site will be moved to a suitable location further from the active lek site. Gnv Camp Projec(- 200R Nol J/l5/OR