2008-11-20_PERMIT FILE - M2008078 (8)

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Lamar Gravel Property TES Screening Ecological Resource Consultants. Inc. Introduction This report summarizes the findings of a screening for threatened, endangered and species of concern (TES) and their potential habitat which may exist on or immediately surrounding the Lamar Gravel Property (Study Area). The screening is intended as a rapid assessment to determine the potential existence and/or presence of habitat for TES. The screening included an onsite evaluation of potential species and habitat, as well as a review of available databases and literature. This screening does not include a presence/absence determination, which could include detailed species surveys, population inventories or trapping evaluations. This screening was conducted at the request of the property contact: J&T Consulting (400 West 122nd Avenue, Suite 120, Westminster, CO 303.457.0735). Ecological Resource Consultants, Inc. (ERC) conducted this screening for the Study Area which is located east of the Town of Lamar, CO, east of North Main Street and north of US 50 (385). The Study Area can be accessed by taking I-70 East to US 287 south. From US 287 South take Auwaerter Drive to County Route HH 8/10. The Study Area is located north of County Route HH 0.5. More specifically, the Study Area is located in the southeast quarter of Section 28, southwest quarter of 27, northeast quarter of 33 and northwest quarter of 34, Township 22 south, Range 46 west in Prowers County, Colorado (Latitude 38.055847, North, Longitude 102343321 West). Figure 1 provides a general vicinity map. A Study Area location map is included in this report as Figure 2. ERC conducted an onsite assessment of the Study Area on August 13, 2007 to identify and document the presence of natural vegetation communities, general wildlife and potential habitat and TES. Based upon literature review and an onsite assessment of the Study Area, ERC has determined that migratory birds likely utilize the Study Area. These birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and killing or possession of these birds is prohibited. No threatened or endangered species populations protected under the Endangered Species Act or Colorado Statue Title 33 were identified as potentially inhabiting or nesting within the Study Area. General Site Description The Study Area is approximately 300 acres and has an average elevation of 3,618 feet above mean sea level. The Study Area contains undeveloped agricultural land and is essentially flat. The property consists of both active and fallow agricultural land and an associated series of irrigation ditches and access roads. An unnamed ditch flows west to east, bisecting the property. The Arkansas River corridor is located north of the property. The corridor runs east west and is approximately 800 feet from the Study Area at its closest point. Ongoing agricultural use of the property has limited the development of any significant vegetative communities. General Wildlife Habitat Wildlife can utilize the general landscape in a multitude of ways. Wildlife can use specific habitats as areas of permanent inhabitance, seasonal inhabitance, breeding grounds, migratory routes, for foraging purposes or as a temporary shelter. Degraded agricultural land is not typically considered of high ecological value to wildlife, but this type of habitat does have beneficial values to certain species. These lands can provide foraging and hunting grounds, refuge, nesting, and provide general "open space". The Arkansas River corridor and the Town of Lamar sewage lagoons, both located north of the Study Area, provide the only uninterrupted wildlife movement corridor in the vicinity of the 2 36