2008-09-19_PERMIT FILE - C1981018A (11)

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• surveys looking for concentrated scat, nest and other indications of "lek" activity but to no avail. Low level aerial reconnaissance, three separate times, and detailed analysis of aerial photographs were also done. At best only three potential "lek" sites could be identified. They are indicated on Map 124. Consultation with Colorado Division of Wildlife personnel from the Denver office and Lou Vidukovich, the local conservation officer, indicated that no known "leks" has been identified for the area. A similar lack of knowledge was attested for the area of concern by BLM personnel from the Meeker and Craig office. A study of the specific impact area of concern having high sage grouse numbers was conducted during the spring of 1981 to determine if "lek" activity occurred within the area of potential impact. Since none were found, specific mitigation is avoidance of the one identified lek north of Cactus Reservoir. No disturbances of any kind will occur at the lek approximately 100 meters north of Cactus Reservoir. Burrowing owls are thought to be declining in numbers. This is largely due to the demise of their habitat. Burrowing owls nest in the burrows of large rodents such as prairie dogs and feed on small rodents in grassland habitats. It has long been a practice of man to control populations of large rodents and to cultivate many grasslands, so the potential habitat of burrowing owls has been reduced. They do, however, occupy and are restricted to the grass habitat in the proposed disposal site. They will be at least temporarily impacted as disposal occurs. Reclamation will be • simultaneous with disposal as tracts are utilized and reclaimed at the same time. The habitat affinities of three prime mammalian species are of concern: prairie dogs, bobcats and pronghorn. Prairie dogs utilize several habitats in the area of potential impact, but are in significant abundance in only one. Prairie dog populations are estimated at 290 per hectare in the grass habitat in the proposed disposal site. These high populations are sufficient to support populations of predators, potentially including black-footed ferrets, if any are present. Additionally, they provide habitat for burrowing owls. Although there are substantial prairie dog populations to the north or into Moffat County, disposal must and will be done carefully and systematically. Only necessary acres will be disturbed at a time and reclamation will be simultaneous with new area utilization. This will serve and restore the critical grass habitat as long and as soon as possible. Bobcats are ubiquitous in a variety of habitats throughout the United States and cannot be delimited to a specific habitat type. In the area of concern they seemed only to occupy the ledges along the White River and the rocky pinyon-juniper habitat along the western border of the lease. This restricted habitat occupation is not, however, due to habitat preference nor to ability to occupy other habitats. It is likely due to extensive predator control in the livestock area and high pelt prices. The proposed actions will not alter nor create problems with their habitat but will create problems for the bobcat. The perturbation value of 5 is based on increased accessibility, more people in the area and hunting pressure associated with such. • Permit Rev. 4 (11/2002) IV-47