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DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT <br />state-of-the-art reports by the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC 1994 and <br />1996). Additional recommendations and references are provided in Musclow and Dalton <br />(1990, Section H). <br />6. Limit the number and extent of access roads to minimize recreational use of previously <br />isolated areas, thus reducing human-raptor interactions and probable conflicts. <br />Remove and reclaim roads as soon after requirements for their use have ended. <br />Guidelines for Mitigating Unavoidable Impacts <br />In accordance with Service Mitigation Policy, we advise mitigation for replacement of raptor <br />habitat values lost to unavoidable impacts. Mitigation can be accomplished by increasing habitat <br />values of existing raptor use areas on or adjacent to project lands; restoring or rehabilitating <br />previously altered habitat; acquiring land through fee title acquisition, conservation easements, <br />legislative protective designations, and managing acquired land for raptor habitat values; and/or <br />other land management strategies. Where appropriate, mitigation should be developed to <br />contribute toward implementation of other priority action items such as those included in <br />conservation agreements and recovery plans. <br />STEP I <br />Determine the extent and duration of unavoidable losses of raptor habitat (refer to discussion on <br />Potential Level of Impact to Raptor Populations). All opportunities to avoid or minimize <br />impacts should already have been considered. <br />STEP 2 <br />Determine impacts and mitigation for all phases of proposed land use activities, including <br />construction, operation, and reclamation. Generally, mitigation should be determined by the <br />degree of impact to raptors. The duration of an activity (short term or long term) would be part <br />of this determination as follows: <br />NOTE: For these guidelines, short-term is defined as an activity and its associated effects which <br />would begin outside of the breeding season and end prior to initiation of the nesting season <br />(Appendix B, Tables 9-16). Long-term is defined as an activity which would continue into or <br />beyond the nesting season. <br />If the proposed project activity and effects thereof are short term, reclamation of <br />disturbed areas can be accomplished during and following project completion. Habitat <br />reclamation should involve seeding and/or vegetation plantings with native materials to <br />approximate or improve preproject conditions. Specification of seed mixes and plant <br />types should be coordinated with local natural resource managers to ensure selection of <br />appropriate species. Seedlings and plantings should be selected which provide <br />diverse and native vegetation, encouraging habitat diversity, which supports <br />15