2010-03-03_PERMIT FILE - X201023101

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BLM and State Species of Concern: Greater sandhill cranes are a state species of concern (CNHP, 2008). CDOW has identified a historic sandhill crane nesting area along Sage Creek northeast of the Sage Creek project area. SCC site-specific surveys have documented historic sandhill crane nest locations in the project area, but the 2007 survey found no recent evidence of nesting (Jones & Stokes, Yoast Mine 2007 Wildlife Monitoring, prepared for Seneca Coal Company). Additional nest areas are documented over two miles north, along the Yampa River. Area fields and improved cropland pasture are used for loafing and/or foraging. Other BLM sensitive species or state species of concern with the potential to occur in the project area are the northern goshawk, mountain plover, black tern, long-billed curlew and white-faced Ibis. Their occurrence in the immediate project area would be as a rare seasonal visitor or migrant passing through the area. Threatened or Endangered Species: The western yellow-billed cuckoo is a candidate for listing by USFWS under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Habitat for this bird occurs along the Yampa River corridor and its presence is possible in the vicinity as a rare seasonal visitor or migrant passing through the area. As noted above, the bald eagle is listed as state threatened. Foraging bald eagles are commonly observed in the area in winter, when they are most numerous in the region. Habitat for the Bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub and razorback sucker does not occur within the project area. Critical habitat for these fishes which are federally listed endangered species under the ESA exists in the Yampa River downstream in Moffat County. As part of the required consultation process, Sage Creek Holdings has discussed the exploration program with CDOW biologists and resource managers. Appendix C presents the CDOW wildlife consultation prepared for this project. It is anticipated that the proposed exploration activities will not negatively impact existing wildlife species or populations. Land Uses: Prevailing land uses within the Sage Creek project area include dryland farming (primarily wheat), livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Cultivated and long-term fallow croplands are interspersed with unimproved pasture/CRP lands. Cattle and sheep grazing are seasonal. A portion of the area (State Trust Lands managed by CDOW) is open to seasonal wildlife related recreation including hunting (big game and game birds) and wildlife viewing activities. Several Routt County roads traverse the area. Routt County Road 27 ("Twentymile Road") is a major arterial road linking the western and southern parts of Routt County. County roads 27A, 51C and 51D are minor gravel-covered or unimproved dirt access roads. Ranch-based features in the area include fences, reservoirs and stock tanks. There are three occupied residences in the nearby vicinity; however, none of the exploration sites are within 0.5 miles of any occupied residence. There is a long history of coal mining in the immediate vicinity. The Seneca II Mine and Yoast Mine are closed surface mines adjacent and immediately to the east and southwest, respectively, of the project area. The Foidel Creek Mine is a large ongoing underground coal mine immediately to the southeast of the project area. Cultural or Archaeological Resources: Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (MAC), on behalf of Colorado Coal Resources (the precursor to Sage Creek Holdings, LLC), has conducted cultural/archaeological resource surveys of the Sage Creek project area. The cultural/archeological resource surveys were completed during the 2008 fall months. The cultural/archeological resource survey report is provided in Appendix D. No archaeological sites or isolated finds were indentified in this survey. Previous surveys have identified several isolated finds and historic/prehistoric sites in Sage Creek Project - 2010 NOI 7 02124110