2009-07-06_REVISION - M1977036 (42)

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very rare spring and fall migrant on the northeastern plains. Migrants occur at reservoirs, lakes, and rivers with bare sandy shorelines. The CNHP has no accounts of this species in the area (CNHP 2008). There is a low potential for the species to occur on the Lafarge Brown property. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was Federally de-listed on July 9, 2007. Their populations will continue to be closely monitored and managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as a State threatened species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also monitor their populations under their authority through the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Bald eagles nest on a property several miles west of Section 34, but may utilize the area for hunting and the river corridor for perching and roosting. Several bald eagles were observed in the area during the survey. The burrowing owl (Athena cunicularia) is a State threatened species. Burrowing owls are found primarily in eastern Colorado as a summer resident and as casual winter resident on the eastern plains. They are fairly common on the eastern plains. Prairie dog colonies were searched for evidence of burrowing owls (white-wash, small mammal remains), but no evidence of burrowing owls were documented during the survey. Although no burrowing owls were observed during the survey, there is a moderate potential for the species to occur on the Lafarge Brown property. The northern redbelly dace (Phoxinus eos) is a State endangered fish. The CNHP data search identified one historic record (in 1914) approximately 1-mile downstream of the area (CNHP 2008). In recent years, only five specimens of the northern redbelly dace have been collected in Colorado: two specimens from the Plum Creek drainage in the foothills south of Denver, and three from a pond adjacent to a Plum Creek tributary (CDOW-NDIS 2009). There is a low potential for the species to occur in the Cache La Poudre River adjacent to the Lafarge Brown property. The brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) is listed as a State threatened fish, which utilizes cool, clear water with abundant aquatic vegetation and a gravel substrate overlaid by organic sediment. The species is currently found in low numbers in the South Platte River; however, it is mainly restricted to portions of the mainstem river and is most abundant in the eastern portion of the plains. The only tributaries of the Platte to contain brassy minnows were the lower St. Vrain River and Spottlewood Creek (CDOW-NDIS 2009). There is a low potential for the species to occur in the Cache La Poudre River adjacent to the Lafarge Brown property. The Preble's meadow jumping mouse (PMJM) (Zapus hudsonius preblei) is a Federal and State threatened species that potentially inhabits the Project Area. The PMJM utilizes areas with well- developed riparian vegetation, relatively undisturbed surrounding grassland, and a water source in close proximity. The species prefers dense herbaceous vegetation consisting of a variety of grasses, forbs and thick shrubs, and favors sites that are structurally diverse and provide adequate cover and food throughout its life cycle (USFWS 2004). The CNHP's Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation System identified several occurrence records, however, no records have associated dates or specific section numbers (CNHP 2008). Several accounts occurred in townships and ranges surrounding the Lafarge Brown property. Only one account occurred in Township 6 North, Range 66 West. According to the CNHP's map of PMJM trapping efforts in the area (CNHP 2007), there have been numerous trapping and evaluation efforts Greeley 35`h Avenue Mine (M-1977-036) DRMS 112 Reclamation Permit Amendment Application Page H5 of H9