2008-02-04_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A

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rcduudanl and unnecessary. The Applicant's biologists have also gathered a large amount of wildlife resource information (Johnson 1980 [0 1984). • In addition to these site-specific studies, the Environmental Assessment Report foe federal coal compiled by the BLM (1979) addressed adjacent areas northwest of the proposed permit area, including portions of Sections 2 and 3, TSN, 1Z86W, and Sections 34 and 35, T6N, R86W. Detailed habitat requirements of all major wi!dlife species on the proposed permit area were presented by the USFWS (1978). Data available for the above-mentioned studies and documents were reviewed and compiled to describe the general t:~unal and habitat characteristics ofthe permit area in this response. Details of the site-specific surveys conducted by CCA to address wildlife concerns identified in the "Introduction" are provided in subsequent sections. Sic Grouse Lek Monitoring Strutting ground counts were conducted for two known sage grouse leks (one a lek complex) in the Twentymile Park permit area. Two visits made by Johtt Monarch, Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company biologist, on April 4 and 21, 1984 did not record any birds and indicated [hat grouse breeding activity was not initiated until late April (personal communication to Terrell Johnson, Getty Mining Company, 4/16/84 and 4/30/84). Four visits were made by CCA to each ground at weekly intenra4s from May 1, 1984 to May 22, 1984. Where possible, at least three counts were made at 5-minute intervals at each ground for each visit. All counts were made between 0.5 hour before sunrise and I.0 hour after sunrise. The number of displaying males, noit- displaying finales, hens and total birds were recorded for each count. • Location and aerial extent of each lek was plotted on field maps at the time of the count. Count data were summarized and tabulated by high count for each count category and survey period. In addition, 1982 and 1983 sage grouse lek survey data were reviewed and summarized. Delineation and Mannine of Sagebrush Habitats All aspects of the sage grouse's life history are associated with sagebrush. Numerous studies (Gill 1965 and others) have demonstrated tltet the different stages of the life history of the sage grouse are associated with varying Iteigltts of sagebrush and the amount of cover provided by sagebrush. Because of the importance of sagebrush habitat to the life history requirements of sage grouse, distinct sagebrush communities occurring within the permit were mapped, and characteristics of these communities were compared to known habitat requirements of the sage grouse. Sagebrush communities were delineated using 1:12,000 and 1:24,000 black-and-white, stereo-paired, aerial imagery; I:G,000 true-color, aerial imagery; and a 1:15,200 color-infrared EROS photo. A total of three distinct sagebrush communities (low sagebrush, mountain "big" sagebrush, and sagebrush/meadow) were mapped. Cover and height measurements and observations on dominant and subdominant understory species were made in the field in representative stands of each sagebrush community. Cover estimates were made using a 100-foot, line- in[ercept u'ansect. Transects were randomly placed in each major sagebrush community, and the amount of sagebrush coverage along each line was measured. Average heights of representative stands was determined b~ raking height measurements at random points within each stand. The total number of cover u'ansects and hei~~hl measurements was determined, to a certain extent, by the extent of each community occurring within the permit area. The total number of height measurements and cover transects implemented is riven below. . Cover Transects Hei>;h[ Measurements Loa Sagebrush 14 130 Mountain Sagebrush I I 7a ~ ~~ Sagebrush/meadow 5 _0 M19R97-I;.1 3.04-G3 Re~iscd 12/09/97