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dependent is being lost. The burrowing owl in this study seems restricted to the prairie dog <br />concentration areas in the vicinity of the proposed haul road and disposal site. In order to minimize <br />impact due to habitat loss, only minimum permitted area will be used as an active disposal site at <br />any given time. This will reduce the initial impact and facilitate reinvasion after disposal and <br />reclamation. This coupled considerable alternate habitat to the north should allow the burrowing owl <br />to maintain population homeostasis. <br />Scott's Oriole -This species was not thought to exist as far north as the area of potential impact, but <br />was sighted there. Since this is a range extension and perhaps the northern zoogeographical limit <br />the perturbation rating was listed as 1-2. Since there is no surface disturbance other than <br />subsidence, in the prime desert shrub and juniper habitats, concern is minimal and mitigative <br />measures unnecessary. <br />Desert Cottontail - Due to the large amount of favorable habitat available to cottontails in the area of <br />potential impact and the adaptive nature of the species, mitigative measures will not be a concern. <br />The habitat lost during disposal will be reclaimed as quickly as possible. <br />Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel -Although this species, abundant in grassland areas of the United <br />States, was thought to be extinct in the Uintah Basin, they are present. However, since they are <br />found along the proposed coal transportation corridor from Raven Ridge in Colorado to the <br />• proposed power plant near Bonanza, Utah and the coal corridor will not permanently destroy their <br />habitat, mitigative measures are deemed unnecessary. <br />White-Tailed Prairie Doa -Concern can be legitimately raised regarding the stability of the <br />substantial prairie dog populations in the haul road and disposal site areas. Temporary habitat <br />destruction will occur and unchecked legal shooting is a possibility; hence, the perturbation rating of <br />4. Although the area of projected impact is on the southern boundary of the prairie dog <br />concentrations, mitigation will be carried out by minimizing the area of disturbance. <br />Beaver -Beaver are found only along the White River in the area of potential impact and should not <br />be impacted by the proposed action. The proposed water withdrawal methods should act as <br />mitigative measures for this species. <br />Coyote -This wide ranging species readily adapts to human activity and coupled with its secretive <br />habits is seldom forced to vacate areas of moderate human use. Increased hunting pressure is the <br />largest potential problem, but would not seriously impact coyote population <br />Black-footed Ferret -This much searched for but not found prime species has been of much <br />concern for the applicant. The prairie dog populations (up to 290/hectare) on the northern boundary <br />of the potential area of impact were believed large enough to support a small ferret population, but <br />• Permit Rev. 4 (11/2002) IV-50 <br />