2008-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (5)

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RULE 2 PERMITS permit area and west of Milk Creek is a very important sage grouse area as shown on the Wildlife Agency Information Map (Map 14). The area supports a strutting nesting complex, and there is a large sage grouse brood concentration area north of the complex. During the summer of 1975, brood size averaged 4.3 birds on the mine site. Observations during the summer of 1980 averaged 3.7 birds. Observations have been made of sage grouse use on the mine plan area through seven winters beginning with the winter of 1974-1975. It has been commonly observed in mountain shrub communities in Northwest Colorado and in other areas that sage grouse move out of these areas in winter due to high snow depths. Observations at Colowyo support these generally accepted sage grouse use patterns. The winters of 1976-1977 and 1980-1981 were extremely dry and mild with very limited snow cover. Sage grouse were observed on the mine plan area during the entire winter. The other five winters beginning in 1974 were all normal or above normal winters with snow depths ranging from 75-100 inches. No sage grouse use was observed during the winter months of these years. Snow buildup from drifting snow around oak, serviceberry, chokecherry, and larger sage effectively limits use by most species. Use of the mine plan area as a winter range by deer, elk, or sage grouse is directly in response to the type of winter we have on the site. A discussion of potential impacts on sage grouse is provided under Section 2.05.6(2). Sharp-tailed grouse have rarely been observed south of the permit area, but have not been known to nest in the area. Blue grouse also utilize the area for nesting, but the population is much smaller than the sage grouse population. Brood size averaged 4.8 birds in 1975. Observations during the summer of 1980 showed an average brood size of 3.6 birds. Morning doves are occasionally observed during the summer months in the mine vicinity; however, the infrequent observations indicate a fairly low population. Waterfowl A few species of ducks such as the Mallard and Green-winged teal are occasionally observed on the stock ponds which are scattered around the mine site; however, due to lack of adequate nesting cover it is unlikely that any nesting occurs. Several species of ducks, geese, and shorebirds have been- observed on the Wilson Reservoir which is located at the extreme northern end of the permit area adjacent to State Highway #13. Most of the waterfowl observations have been made at the Wilson Reservoir and are listed in Table 2.04.11-11, Wildlife Species That Occur Or Are Likely To Occur In The Colowyo Permit Area. Non-Game Birds A large variety of birds have been observed on the mine site. Most species are migrants that either nest on or near the site during the summer months, or are observed as they pass through the area. The relative abundance of species that could possibly occur on the site and those that have definitely been observed are listed in Table 2.04.11-11, Wildlife Species That Occur Or Are Likely To Occur In The Colowyo Permit Area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a seven day breeding bird sampling program on a 40-acre plot on the Colowyo mine site in 1975. The number of birds, by species, that were spot mapped in the various sampling periods is set forth in Table 2.04.11-12, USFWS - Bird Transects. Table 2.04.11-13, USFWS - Breeding Bird Transects, shows the best approximation of number of breeding birds for the Colowyo site and three other areas sampled in northwest Colorado for the seven sampling periods. Rule 2 Permits 2.04.11-8 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91