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J.E. Stover & Associates, Inc
<br />December 5, 2007
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<br />Given the availability of more suitable nesting habitat in the North Fork valley, and given the low
<br />abundance of this species in western Colorado and the low likelihood of it selecting the marginal
<br />habitat in the mine permit boundary, and given the low level of mine - related activity under the
<br />permit, the mine permit renewal is not likely to cause measurable effects to yellow - billed cuckoo.
<br />Canada Iynx
<br />The lynx was listed as threatened in 2000 at Federal Register 65(58):16051- 16086. Although it was
<br />never abundant, the lynx has historically occurred in appropriate habitat in upper montane and
<br />subalpine zones throughout central Colorado. Re- introductions of lynx in the state have met with
<br />some success, with CDOW reporting about 47 percent survivorship and moderate to high
<br />reproductivity (23 possible mating pairs) of the 204 animals released since 1999. Designated
<br />critical habitat for lynx is currently being proposed at Federal Register 70(216):68294 -68328 by
<br />USFWS in portions of Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Although no designated
<br />critical habitat for lynx is being proposed in Colorado, USFS and other federal agencies have
<br />identified lynx habitat statewide based on vegetation data, including denning, winter foraging, and
<br />other lynx habitat. Agencies have also designated Lynx Analysis Units (LAUs) which generally
<br />correspond to watersheds on National Forest lands, cover an area large enough to sustain an entire
<br />lynx home range, and are used for landscape -level planning and impact analysis. Lynx habitat
<br />linkage areas have also been identified, and represent areas of essential connectivity between
<br />large blocks of mapped suitable lynx habitat. None of the Bowie No. 1 permit area falls within an
<br />LAU, although approximately 160 acres within the northwest part of the permit area are mapped as
<br />potential lynx habitat (Figure 3). •
<br />Primary lynx habitat in Colorado includes coniferous forests of spruce and fir or lodgepole pine.
<br />Secondary habitat consists of aspen or Douglas -fir mixed with primary coniferous habitat, between
<br />8,000 and 11,500 feet elevation . 20 Lynx typically forage in uneven -aged forests with shrubs or small
<br />trees that provide habitat for snowshoe hares, their primary prey. Small forest openings with low
<br />cover enhance foraging habitat, although lynx mostly avoid openings larger than several acres.
<br />Closed canopy forests with significant dead and down trees provide optimum denning habitat. In
<br />areas with deep winter snow, foraging habitat must contain shrubs or small trees of sufficient height
<br />to extend above snowpack.
<br />One of the principal factors affecting lynx and snowshoe hare habitat in Colorado is human
<br />alteration of the abundance, species composition, and successional stages of forested habitats and
<br />the fragmentation of forested blocks. 18 The effects of increased human presence and roads may
<br />also reduce habitat effectiveness. Roads fragment habitat and increase the probability of mortalities
<br />from vehicle collisions. 18 Lynx are believed to be susceptible to human disturbance during the
<br />18 Seidel, J., Andree, B., Berlinger, S., Buell, K., Byrne, G., Gill, B., Kenvin, D., Reed, D.. 1998. Draft strategy for the conservation and
<br />reestablishment of lynx and wolverine in the southern rocky mountains. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, Colorado.
<br />19 Shenk, T. 2006 (Colorado Division of Wildlife Biologist). 2006. Lynx update, March 12. Available at
<br />http: / /wildlife. state .co.us /NR/rdonlyres /432BB4E3 -271 F-4A1 0-904F-E6288B9CF1 E1 /0 /LynxUpdateMar122006.pdf.
<br />20 Ruediger, Bill, Jim Claar, Steve Gniadek, Bryon Holt, Lyle Lewis, Steve Mighton, Bob Naney, Gary Patton, Tony Rinaldi, Joel Trick,
<br />Anne Vandehey, Fred Wahl, Nancy Warren, Dick Wenger, and Al Williamson. 2000. Canada lynx conservation assessment and strategy.
<br />2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, and USDI National Park Service.
<br />Missoula Montana. 0
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