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J. E. Stover & Associates, Inc December 5, 2007 Page 8 Boreal toad The boreal toad (also known as mountain toad) was historically widespread and abundant throughout most of the southern Rocky Mountains, but has undergone a severe decline in distribution and abundance since the late 1970s. Causes for decline potentially include habitat destruction or alteration (flooding of montane wetlands to create reservoirs; road construction; water, livestock, timber, minerals, and fire management practices; predation by introduced trout; and other factors related to acidification and heavy - metals contamination of water bodies). Only three boreal toad breeding sites were known from Delta County, near the north county line on the Grand Mesa; no documented records of boreal toad exist for Delta County since 1958.' Boreal toad breeding habitat is still or sluggish water with emergent vegetation and shrubby willows at the gently - sloping edges of small lakes or ponds, beaver ponds, glacial kettle ponds, and sluggishly - flowing ditches or streams interspersed in subalpine forests (lodgepole pine, Englemann spruce, subalpine fir, or aspen). Breeding success requires permanent or semi - permanent water sources, although breeding also takes place in ephemeral water sources. Although the toads may move up to 4 kilometers from their breeding habitat following breeding season, they are never far from damp soil or leaf litter conditions. • Due to the presence of only marginal habitat (scattered small patches or stringers of aspen in semi - riparian settings) within the mine permit boundary, and due to the fact that mine - related surface disturbance does not lie within wetland or riparian habitats in the species' normal elevation range, the proposed renewal of the Bowie No. 1 mine permit is not likely to result in the loss of boreal toad habitat or individual animals. This finding is supported by a previous analysis at coal exploration and methane vent drilling locations within the north portion of the mine permit boundary for the nearby Bowie No. 2 Mine. Fishes The upper Colorado River Basin is home to 12 native fish species, four of which are listed as endangered: bonytai, Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, and razorback sucker ( USFWS 1991). Decline of the four endangered species is due at least in part to habitat destruction (diversion and impoundment of rivers) and competition and predation from introduced fish species. In 1994, the USFWS designated critical habitat for the four endangered species at Federal Register 56(206):54957- 54967, which in Colorado includes the 100 -year floodplain of the upper Colorado River from Rifle to Lake Powell, and the Gunnison River from Delta to Grand Junction. None of the four endangered Colorado River fishes occur in or near the mine permit boundary and the mine permit boundary does not occur within or adjacent to designated critical habitat. The closest designated critical habitat and the closest potential populations of the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, and razorback sucker are in the Gunnison River, approximately 25 miles southwest of the mine boundary. The bonytail is presumed to be extirpated in Colorado. Potential impacts to Colorado River endangered fishes could result from water depletion in the drainage of the North Fork River, a tributary of the Gunnison River. Water consumption in the greater Colorado River basin has the potential to diminish backwater spawning areas in 23 Sherman, Rick. 2000. Iron Point coal exploration license wildlife inventory. Prepared by Wildlife Habitat and Natural Resource Specialists for J.E. Stover & Associates. May 14. RARE EARTH SCIENCE, LLC