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EXHIBIT H
<br />Wildlife Information
<br />General
<br />Queen of the River Consultants was retained by Lafarge North America to evaluate potential
<br />wildlife habitat impacts including determination of T&E species habitat for the Parsons Property in
<br />Weld County, near Greeley, Colorado.
<br />This 381 acre parcel is located in the Bracewell, Colorado Quandrangle (Sections 30 and 31 of
<br />T6N, R66W and Sections 25 and 36 of T6N, R67W) on CR25 along the Cache La Poudre River
<br />(Attachment H-1). This site has historically been used for agriculture and livestock grazing.
<br />Livestock grazing (cattle) and hay production are currently the primary land uses on the property.
<br />The site encompasses several jurisdictional wetlands, a number of irrigation laterals, 2 ponds and
<br />approximately 6320 feet of the Cache La Poudre River.
<br />Significant Wildlife Resources
<br />The property is dominated by pasture grasses and agricultural fields with many areas populated by
<br />invasive and exotic plant species. Over one mile (6320') of the Cache La Poudre River flows
<br />through the southern portion of the property providing important wildlife habitat to many species
<br />especially raptors (birds of prey), song birds, and waterfowl. Red tailed hawks and great horned
<br />owls utilize the large cottonwood trees along the river corridor for nesting. Many species of
<br />waterfowl utilize the river for nesting, feeding and resting. Wood ducks utilize the cottonwood
<br />trees and some artificial nest boxes along the river for nesting. Eleven wetlands associated with the
<br />river channel, manmade ponds and irrigation ditches also provide important wildlife habitat
<br />especially wading and shorebirds. The presence of invasive and exotic plant species throughout the
<br />property and along the river channel somewhat diminishes the quality of habitat.
<br />According to Colorado Division of Wildlife's Natural Diversity Information Source for Weld
<br />County and range maps of wildlife species utilizing Colorado Division of Wildlife's GAP Analysis,
<br />potential large mammal species utilizing the property include: mule deer, Virginia opossum,
<br />American beaver, red fox, raccoon, mink, and white-tailed deer. Small mammals that likely inhabit
<br />the property include: Common muskrat, coyote, raccoon, red fox, big brown bat, hoary bat, red bat,
<br />silver-haired bat, Eastern and desert cottontail, white-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed prairie dog,
<br />bushy-tailed woodrat, deer mouse, white-footed mouse, Hispid pocket mouse, house mouse,
<br />Northern grasshopper mouse, Ord's kangaroo rat, meadow vole, prairie vole, rock squirrel, thirteen-
<br />lined ground squirrel, Plains harvest mouse, Plains pocket gopher, Western harvest mouse, and
<br />stripped skunk.
<br />Waterfowl and wading birds species include: pied billed grebe, Western grebe, white-fronted goose,
<br />Canada Goose, wood duck, mallard, Northern pintail, blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, common
<br />merganser, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, black-crowned night heron,
<br />American coot, American avocet, common snipe, killdeer, and white-faced ibis. Raptors likely to
<br />inhabit the site include turkey vulture, bald eagle, Northern harrier, Swainson's hawk, red-tailed
<br />hawk, American kestrel, great-horned owl, and Western burrowing owl. Other likely bird species
<br />Parsons Mine
<br />DRMS 112 Reclamation Permit Application
<br />Page HI of H6
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