2008-02-04_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A

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slopes support mountain shrub and big sagebrush communities that remain relatively snow Flee during the winter • months due ro their aspect. No mule deer migration routes or fawning areas have been identified on the permit area. The locations of elk and mule deer winter concentration areas and critical winter range are discussed, in relation to the proposed mine development, in a subsequent section. Black bear and mountain lion are potential, although not probable, inhabitants of some portions of [he permit area. The general lack of suitable habitat within the permit area in combination with human activity associated with mining, ranching, and farming make the potential for occurrence of these species in the general area very low. Raptors The permit area represents suitable hunting habitat for several species of raptors that prefer open country. Northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, Swainson's hawk, American kestrel, turkey vulture, and golden eagle were observed by CCA biologists during [he wildlife and vegetation field studies. Most of [he permit area is generally lacking in suitable nesting habitat for raptors except for ground nesters like [he northern harrier and short-eared owl. The only suitable cliff-nesting habitat in the permit area occurs on [he sandstone bluffs along Foidel Creek. These cliffs were no[ surveyed for raptor nesting activity since no additional surface disturbance (beyond what has already occurred for an existing mine) will occur within 0.5 mile (0.8 km) of the sandstone cliff area (Map 21, Locations of Sandhill Crane Nests and Nesting Habitat and Raptor Cliff-Nesting Habitat). Recent nesting on [he sandstone cliff area by golden eagle, prairie falcon, and other cliff-nesting species has been documented by USFWS and the Applicant's biologists. Nesting by these species indicates that there is an acceptance or tolerance of current mining activities in [he area. • Upland Game Birds The principal upland gamebirds occurring on the permit area are sage grouse, mourning dove, and sharp-tailed grouse. Blue grouse are also potential inhabitants but preferred habitat is generally lacking within the permit area. Blue gtouse exhibit a strong preference for open stands of aspen or conifers with an understory of shrubs (Rodgers 1968). Sharp-tailed grouse prefer grassland or cultivated areas interspersed with shrub cover (Rodgers 1969). No known sharp-[ailed dancing grounds occur within [he proposed permit area. Mourning dove were observed in all habitats in [he permit area but were most common along the edges of dirt iroads passing through cropland and sagebrush, particularly in the vicinity of small stockponds. Sage grouse rely heavily on sagebrush for food, cover, and nesting, and most observations of this species were made in sagebrush or cropland habitats in the northern or western portions of the permit area. One sage grouse lek and a lek complex are known to occur on or near [he proposed permit area (Map 22, Locations of Sage Grouse Leks and Sagebrush Habitat). These grounds were monitored by the Applicant's biologists in 1982 and 1983 and by CCA biologists in 1984. Results of the lek monitoring studies and sagebrush studies also conducted by CCA in 1984 are discussed in subsequent sections. Waterbirds Aquatic habitat for waterbirds in the permit area is limited to Fish and Foidel Creeks and small stockponds. Since permanent emergent vegetation is sparse around most permit area aquatic habitats, the value of these habitats for . waterbirds is restricted primarily to their use as loafing or feeding areas for puddle ducks and some wading birds. Breeding by mallard was noted in backwater or small oxbow areas associated with Fish Creek and in a few of the stockponds supporting suitable vegetational cover. Other waterbirds observed on the permit area include American coot, green-winged teal, American wigeon, Cinnamon teal, Wilson's phalarope, killdeer, great blue ~4R 97-1~4 2.04-69 Revised 10/02/97