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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br />MORTON LAKES PROPERTY <br />WELD COUNTY, COLORADO <br />• • Conduct annual monitoring to look for new nest sites and communal night <br />roosts. <br />Conclusions and Recommendations <br />Black footed Ferret, Western Burrowing Owl, and Black-tailed Prairie Dog <br />The project area is located within the Service's Block-Cleared Area for black-footed <br />ferrets. In addition, no prairie dog colony is currently located within the proposed project <br />area; therefore, no action is necessary regarding the black-footed ferret. Also, because no <br />prairie dog colony is currently located within the proposed project area, no action is <br />necessary regarding the Western burrowing owl or the black-tailed prairie dog. <br />Ute Ladies'-Tresses Orchid and Colorado Butterfly Plant <br />Potential habitat for the Ute ladies'-tresses orchid and Colorado butterfly plant in the <br />project area is unlikely and implementation of the 75- to 450-foot setback from Big Dry <br />Creek would avoid impacts to these species. <br />Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse <br />• The project area contains potential habitat for Preble's along Big Dry Creek. <br />However, several trapping surveys have been conducted within 1 mile upstream and <br />downstream of the project area with no Preble's found. Although the project area is <br />isolated from any known Preble's populations, the Service may require a trapping survey <br />to verify the absence of Preble's in potential habitat along Big Dry Creek or avoidance of <br />potential habitat. <br />Mountain Plover, Northern Leopard Frog, Common Garter Snake, and <br />Ferruginous Hawk <br />The project area contains potential habitat for state species of special concern, <br />including the mountain plover, northern leopard frog, common garter snake, and winter <br />foraging habitat for ferruginous hawk. Potential habitat for the mountain plover and <br />ferruginous hawk is marginal, and implementation of the 75- to 450-foot setback from <br />Big Dry Creek would avoid most adverse impacts to the northern leopard frog and <br />common garter snake. <br />. <br />ERO <br />19 Resources <br />Corporation