2009-02-11_PERMIT FILE - X200923100

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02/11/2009 14:13 9708265002 BLM PAGE 03 B. Land Use Plan (LUP) Conformance LUP Name: Little Snake source ent PIan and Reco d of Dec' ion ROD Date Approved: AMdl 2-6.1989 • Draft RW/EIS February 1986 • Final ]glym/rTs Seytemb 198E • dv Oil andGas Leasiinst andDevelopment Final EIS Plan Amendment iora Date A?roved: Octoi?er 199 C. Identify applicable NEPA documents and other related documents that cover the proposed action. cm 0-2008-0 -EA: Cow Cam !oration Li e Ca orado Pubs c Land Health 9 mb, Decisio =W 8t d'n of No Si 'ficant Im c1; and Enviroomental ssment March 1997. D. NEPA Adequacy Criteria 1. Is the carreaat proposed action substantially the same action (or is a part of that actiold) as previously analyzed? Is the current proposed action located at a site specifically analyzed in an existing document? Yes. The proposed action is identical in scope and ioca6on to the action previously analyzed in CO»100-2008-059-EA. 2. Is the grange of alternatives analyzed in the existing 1VT)pA document(s) appropriate with respect to the current proposed action, given current environmental concerns, interests, and resource values? Yes. CO-100-2008-059-EA appropriately analyzed the environmental, impacts and a range of alternatives that include the proposed action. 3. Is the existing analysis valid in light of any new information or circumstances? Yes. The proposed action would have no disproportionate impacts on minority populations o;r low income communities (E.O.12999) and the President's Executive Order, signed 1110/01, which mandates evaluation of effects of actions and agency plans on migratory birds. The LSFO has reviewed the proposal and determined that the action would not adversely impact maintaining or achieving public land health as defined by the five Colorado Standards for Land Health. In November of 2008, retired Colorado Division of Wildlife (CROW) researcher Rick Hoffman evaluated the drill sites to determine potential impacts to Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse. He determined that drill sites CCU38, CCU39, CCU43, CCU44. CCU46, and CCU48 are within suitable nesting habitat for grouse. The CDOW has reviewed Mr. Hoffman's recommendations. Upon reviewing Mr. Hoffman's recommendations CROW providcd CCR a letter of recommended protections necessary to protect grouse in the project area. In this letter, CROW concurred that drilling may occur within the traditional NSO buffers for Ick sites without impacts to the leks or breeding birds. The. Colorado Division of Wildlife does feel that timing restrictions should be placed on drilling activities at these locations. No surface disturbing activities should occur between March 1 and June 30 in order to protect nesting grouse. The CDOW letter to CCR is on file in the BLWs Little Snake Field