2009-08-13_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

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methods likely be as effective. II. Post-mining Mitigation for SageQrouse As stated in the Permit Application, sage grouse use of the area to be mined is for nesting and brood rearing purposes. According to information contained within the Bureau of Land Management Technical Note #330, "Habitat Requirements and Management Recommendations for Sage, Grouse," the most important factor for nesting habitat in the sagebrush vegetation type is sagebrush. Within this vegetative community, the majority of sage grouse nests occur under sagebrush. It is assumed that within the mountain shrub vegetative community, sage grouse nest would be found under the mountain shrub components as well as sagebrush. The most important factor for brooding habitat is the availability of the appropriate foods for the chicks. Also, during the later summer months of brood rearing, the availability of water becomes important. Within the pre-mine vegetative community, the nesting cover component is assumed to be sagebrush as well as other elements of the mountain shrub community. Within the post-mining vegetative community, seeded shrubs will supply the necessary requirements for nesting cover. Within the literature no specific location of nests seem to be indicated other than a preference for less dense and shorter shrubs which seem to indicate a need for quick escape should the hen be flushed unexpectedly. The density and structures of the shrub component within the post-mine community should provide the diversity of cover and density suited to sagegrouse nesting. Within the pre-mine vegetative community, insects and succulent vegetation provide the majority of the food for the developing chicks. As these food sources mature and dry, the grouse will move to areas still supporting succulent vegetation. These sites include springs, seeps, drainage bottoms and water impoundments. During the late summer and fall months, the important food plants dry up on the upland slopes and the grouse will tend to remain closer to available watering areas where some succulent vegetation is still available. Many of the grouse are then observed in the alfalfa and irrigated meadowlands on areas around the mining area. Within the post-mine vegetative community, the food component for brood rearing will be provided by insects and succulent vegetation on reclaimed areas early in chick development. Later into the summer months, as food sources dry up on the upland slopes, food will be available near water impoundments and drainage bottoms being returned to the post-mining topography. The literature indicates no optimum distance between nesting sites and food sources. Evidently, the location of nesting sites are independent of food sources, rather, the nesting locations are based on available cover, and the grouse movements are tied to the availability of succulent 2.05-75 Revision Date: 3/14/08 Revision No.: TR-72