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AMPIBIANS AND REPTILES <br />¦ While conducting transects and nesting raptor surveys, observations of amphibians and <br />reptiles were kept. The only adult species of amphibians observed were the northern <br />leopard frog, chorus frog and tiger salamanders that were found in ponds located in the <br />¦ project area. These ponds were checked for evidence of other amphibians. There were <br />none observed nor were there any egg masses, but tadpoles were observed in some ponds. <br />Ponds where amphibians were found were man made structures built for livestock <br />¦ watering purposes. Most of these stock ponds typically dry up early in the summer, <br />which probably limits their use by amphibians. Other natural ponds and beaver dams <br />were checked, but no evidence of amphibians was found. Checks were made along the <br />¦ Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek and Lick Creek for evidence of amphibians, but none were <br />found. Beaver dams and ponds along the upper reaches of Deep Creek above and below <br />the slide were also checked, but no amphibians were found. The only species of reptile <br />¦ observed was the western terrestrial garter snake. This snake was observed in the Dry <br />Fork of Minnesota Creek drainage. <br />FISHERIES <br />None of the streams within the project area support a viable fishery. All other drainages <br />are small with intermittent streams. <br />THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES <br />¦ The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) lists two terrestrial vertebrate species, one <br />invertebrate and two plant species which occur, potentially occur, or habitat for which <br />¦ occurs in this portion of the Gunnison National Forest as Threatened, Endangered, or <br />Proposed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; Canada lynx (threatened) is the <br />only T&E species that could potentially occur in this area. The yellow-billed cuckoo, <br />¦ Gunnison sage grouse and boreal toad are listed as candidate species. Of these three <br />species only the boreal toad may be found at higher elevations in the area. There is no <br />suitable habitat for either the yellow-billed cuckoo or Gunnison sage grouse. <br />1 <br />HABITAT & SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND EFFECTS DETERMINATION <br />¦ Table 2 displays current information on habitat and T&E species' presence within the <br />project area. <br />16