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EXHIBIT H-Wildlife Information <br />Existing Environment <br />The project area is on a moderately steep slope with a southeast aspect, at an elevation range of 7,800 to <br />8,200 feet. The majority of the habitat in the area is rock scree, with tree islands of mixed ponderosa pine <br />and Douglas-fir. Slopes to the north and west include scattered stands of aspen and mountain shrub, as <br />well as more contiguous blocks of mixed ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. The primary ground cover that <br />would be directly affected by this hard rock gathering project is rock scree. There would be no tree or <br />snag removal associated with the project and understory brush, shrub, and ground cover will be retained. <br />No trees or snags will be removed for the project, and the understory of montane shrubs, juniper and <br />grass/forbs in tree islands will be retained throughout the project area. Therefore, disturbance activities <br />have little potential to affect nesting passerine birds. Nesting raptor species in forested areas within and <br />adjacent to the project area would not likely be disturbed, since no evidence of nesting has been observed <br />in the vicinity of the project. Small mammals are the most likely species to be affected by the rock <br />harvest activities since these species are known to use crevices and spaces under rocks for cover, <br />burrows, and when foraging. However, wildlife would not be eliminated throughout the project area due <br />to the small scale and limited annual time period of the proposed action. Small mammals, which may <br />serve as prey for sensitive species would remain. <br />The project is also located within elk summer range as mapped by the Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />(CDOW 2008a) and important elk calving areas are included in summer range mapped by the CDOW. <br />During a site visit of the proposed project area, a single cow and newborn calf were located within the <br />boundaries. A Forest Plan standard allows timing stipulations to be placed on human activities in these <br />critical areas to limit the potential for human disturbance between May 15 and June 20. The PDC (see <br />Chapter 2) includes timing stipulations because the project area has been determined to be an important <br />calving area by CDOW. <br />No long-term displacement of wildlife is expected over the life of the project, due to the absence of <br />impacts to wildlife under the proposed action. Removal of ground cover vegetation will be minimized, <br />and ground cover of rock scree will remain in harvested areas when slope reclamation is complete. <br />Wildlife displacement or disturbance is not expected as a result of human activity. <br />From EA- http://www fs fed us/r2/Whiteriver/projects/conger-rock-harvesting <br />area/Conger%20EA FINAL%20022509.pdf