2009-07-06_REVISION - M1977036 (26)

Home Browse Search

At the request of Tetra Tech, Buys and Associates, Inc. (B&A) was asked to review habitat suitability for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) on the Lafarge Brown property adjacent to Lafarge West, Inc. Greeley 35`s Ave Mine in Weld County north of Greeley, Colorado (Figure 11-1). Lafarge West, Inc. plans to apply for a Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 112 mining permit in this area. This survey was conducted on February 5, 2009. The Lafarge Brown property, which is approximately 12 acres in size, falls within Section 34 of Township 6 North, Range 66 West (Figure H-1). The property includes a weedy area with an active prairie dog colony. The northwestern portion of the property is bounded by a fence. The Cache La Poudre River corridor, which includes a bike path, is located just outside and northwest of this fence. Approximately 1,695 feet of the Cache La Poudre River borders the Lafarge Brown property. This portion of the river is surrounded by a riparian corridor with a middle-aged cottonwood canopy. Although the area outside and northwest of the fence described above would not be disturbed, due to its proximity to the Lafarge Brown property information about this area is included. The Lafarge Brown property was surveyed because it is within potential occupied range for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (USFWS 2004): • The site is located in Weld County below 7,600 feet in elevation. • The Cache la Poudre, a tributary to the South Platte River, borders the property. • Riparian habitat occurs adjacent to the property. The riparian corridor bordering the Lafarge Brown property was assessed. The photographs that were taken during the survey are attached. The riparian corridor adjacent to the Lafarge Brown property did not contain suitable PMJM habitat. The Cache La Poudre River in this area is deeply entrenched, heavily rip- rapped and sparsely vegetated. Habitat disturbances in this area have also been caused by farming and heavy grazing practices. The shrub component is very sparse along the river in this area. Due to channelization, and past and current grazing management, the riparian zone is narrow and is dominated by upland grasses and a narrow band of cottonwood trees. The riparian corridor upstream or downstream of the Lafarge Brown property does not provide adequate cover or habitat for the PMJM. The species has not been documented within the property or in the surrounding area. As such, there is a low potential for the species to occur within the Lafarge Brown property. References US Fish & Wildlife Service. 2004. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) Survey Guidelines. Revised April 2004. Available at: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/preble/