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During the site visit, weather was mild with mid-day air temperature of mid- to high 70's° F, <br />slightly overcast, bright skies, and light wind. Some earth-moving activity was taking place <br />greater than th mile distant on adjacent properties during the visit. A portion, as much as 20%, of <br />the site has been previously mined for construction material. <br />No browsing of shrubs was evident although extensive transects were not taken. A few harsh site <br />species including some highly palatable winterfat (Kraschenninikovia lanata) in full <br />inflorescence are present in the affected area but showed no sign of wildlife grazing or browsing. <br />Native grasses including galleta (Pleuraphis jamesii) which, although sparse in density were <br />vigorous where present. Galleta produced a crop of florets this year where present. In the <br />previously affected areas, the primary forb and grass layer is composed of saltlover (Halogeton <br />glomeratus), kochia (Bassia spp.) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). <br />Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) were observed at a distance and appeared to be crossing the <br />desert-salt desert zone of the affected area while moving between feeding habitat nearer Kannah <br />Creek and slightly higher elevation, dry, resting habitat where they loaf in shade of pinyon pine <br />and Utah juniper (Pinus edulis-Juniperus utahensis) during the heat of the day. <br />Information in this report is complete to the greatest extent possible but cannot be represented to <br />be comprehensive after one site visit. Distribution and population status of wildlife are subject to <br />change according to season of year and population trends, whether rising, stable or falling. <br />Highly transient or mobile species utilizing adjacent habitats are included in the discussion <br />although their presence is likely incidental and not commonly used. <br />Game Resources <br />The Bradbury Gravel Pit is located in Pronghorn range and pronghorn, have bee seen in this area <br />for more than 30 years (over-all range and winter range) as designated by CDOW (NDIS, 2009). <br />These two classifications are possibly the least significant of all special seasonal activity <br />classifications designated by CDOW. Incremental loss of the desert-salt desert ecotype present <br />in the affected area compared to the amount available over-all is likely, immeasurable. from this <br />project at the data analysis unit level under which CDOW operates and promulgates regulations. <br />A pronghorn winter concentration area located more than two miles southeast of the Bradbury <br />Gravel Pit will not be affected. <br />No evidence of use by mule deer in winter was found nor expected at the time of the visit. No <br />evidence of recent use by mule deer was observed and was expected due to the harshness of the <br />site for vegetation and lack of hiding cover. <br />The nearest waterfowl habitat is the irrigated fields on the Kannah Creek floodplain and riparian <br />zone. These fields are about one mile north of the Bradbury Gravel Pit. Species likely present <br />include mallard (Anal platyrhyunchos) and Canada goose (Branta canadensis). <br />Other species mapped by DOW for Mesa County were checked on line for potential occurrence <br />in the Bradbury Gravel Pit vicinity. No wild turkey (Meleagros gallopavo), American elk