2007-07-01_REVISION - C1980007 (2)

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DISCUSSION OF EFFECTS AND RATIONALE Canada lynx: The project is located within the Mount Gunnison Lynx Analysis Unit (LAU). None of the proposed roads or drill sites are located in areas that are mapped as suitable lynx denning, wintering or other habitat by the USFS. There are existing or reclaimed roads in or adjacent to spruce-fir stands along Deep Creek and the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek. No Canada lynx occurrence has been formally documented within the proposed project area. There is always the possibility that lynx could move through the project area, but the lack of suitable habitat probably precludes this from happening. Foraging habitat is comprised of early successional forest stands with high densities of shrubs and seedlings for prey species such as snowshoe hare. Habitat within the project area is primarily Gambel oak/mountain shrub and aspen. Within these types a suitable prey base for lynx is lacking. The large areas of Gambel oak have not been mapped as lynx habitat by the USFS. Some of the larger aspen stands at higher elevations have been mapped as other habitat, but field surveys showed that a suitable prey base is lacking in these areas. The small pockets of spruce-fir or Douglas fir in the drainages do not provide conditions suitable for denning and lack conditions suitable for snowshoe hares. There are large expanses of spruce-fir at higher elevations around the base of Mount Gunnison that may provide suitable denning conditions. However, these areas are removed from the pockets of spruce-fir found in the project area and there is a lack of connectivity between the higher elevation stands and the small stringers or pockets at lower elevations. The riparian habitat along the Dry Fork and Deep Creek drainages does not support a prey base that would sustain lynx in the winter. The proposed project activities will not disturb any lynx denning habitat. It will not affect any suitable reproductive habitat. It will not affect summer and winter foraging habitat, or migration habitat. Project activities will not affect individual lynx, in the short-term, during project implementation by construction noise and elevated human presence causing lynx to avoid using the project area as reproductive, foraging, or migration/dispersal habitat. Long-term and cumulative effects on Canada lynx are not expected. Bald eagle: No occurrence of bald eagle has been formally documented within the proposed project area. The nearest known bald eagle activity is along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Suitable nesting and reproductive habitat for bald eagle is found along the river, but is not present in the proposed project area. Bald eagles do winter along the North Fork of the Gunnison River and in the winter possibly make foraging flights through the area searching for carrion. Winter roost site habitat for bald eagle is not present within the project area 18