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

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Lamar Gravel Property TES Screening Ecological Resource Consultants Inc Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) - Endangered Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalossos) - Endangered Piping plover (Charadruis melodus) - Threatened Black-footed ferret The black-footed ferret (Ferret) is listed as federally endangered under the ESA. This mammal is found from shortgrass and midgrass prairies to semi-desert shrublands, and is always located near a prairie dog town. Large prairie dog colonies are typically needed to support one ferret. USFWS guidelines state that the minimum acreage of prairie dog habitat needed to support a black-footed ferret is 80 acres of black-tailed prairie dog towns and 200 acres of white-tailed prairie dog towns (htty://www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska/gpng/reports/ferret Quidelines.html). Ferrets are 20 to 25 inches in length and weigh approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds. The Ferret is characterized by a black mask across the face, a brownish head, black feet and legs and a black tipped tail. The Ferret's short, buff-colored fur becomes lighter on the underside of their bodies. Females have one litter of three to four kits each year. Kits do not emerge from the underground prairie dog burrows until they are six weeks old, and remain with their mothers for two to three months. Breeding occurs from February to March. The main prey for this species is prairie dogs, mice, ground squirrels, birds, reptiles and insects. Predators include owls, golden eagles, coyotes, badgers and domestic dogs. This species is most active at night; daylight activity is limited to the first 5 hours after sunlight. Above-ground activity increases in the winter season (October-January). • No black-tailed prairie dog colonies were observed within or adjacent to the Study Area. The majority of the Study Area is active agricultural land, not suitable for the establishment of a prairie dog colony. Any change in land use should not adversely affect the continued existence or potential habitat of this species. Interior least tern The interior least tern (Tern) is listed as federally endangered under the ESA. The least tern is a small shorebird identified by a black-capped crown, white forehead, grayish back, white underparts, orange or yellow legs, and a black-tipped bill. This avian migrant species breeds in North America and winters in South America. Tern habitat consists of sand and gravel areas located above the high water mark. Suitable nesting habitat is sparsely vegetated with sand or gravel substrate, which is maintained by flooding and scouring. Nests consist of small scrapes in the sand that must stay dry. Two to three eggs are typically laid each year, with incubation times ranging from 19 to 25 days. Chicks vary in color from white to tan with black spots or streaks across their back and top of the head. Because least terns are sensitive to human disturbance, a buffer zone of at least 0.25 mile around active nesting colonies is recommended for any recreation or construction activities. It is the smallest member of the tern family with a wingspan of 20 inches. Least terns can be distinguished from all other terns by their combination of a black crown, white forehead and a variable black-tipped yellow bill. • Neither Tern individuals nor habitat was observed within the Study Area. The Study Area does not contain any Tern habitat such as the gravel bars or sandy shorelines that are typically found along or within large rivers. Any change in land use in the Study Area should not adversely affect the continued existence or available habitat of this species. Piping Plover The piping plover (Plover) is listed as federally threatened under the ESA. The piping plover is an imperiled migratory shorebird that spends winter months in southeastern North America and the Caribbean Islands, and breeds from southern Canada to northeastern and central regions of the United States. The Colorado Plover population is a breeding population that typically arrives around the beginning of April and leaves by the end of May. They are normally found inhabiting 4 38