Laserfiche WebLink
surveys in the area have been American marten, Northern goshawk and olive-sided <br />flycatcher. American marten have been observed in spruce-fir habitat along Deep Creek <br />on several occasions. They will not be affected by the proposed drilling operations. <br />Northern goshawks have been observed on numerous occasions in the area. They <br />undoubtedly nest in the area, but suitable nesting habitat is lacking and no nests have <br />been found during raptor nest surveys that have been conducted in the area. Purple <br />martins have been observed in the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek drainage, but none in the <br />project area. There is some suitable nesting habitat in the area, but none will be affected <br />by the proposed activities. <br />The USFS lists eight species as Management Indicator Species. These are shown on <br />Table 3. <br />Table 3 <br />MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES <br />Species Habitat Present Species Present <br />Terrestrial vertebrates: <br />Elk Yes Yes <br />Abert's Squirrel No No <br />American marten Yes Yes <br />Northern goshawk Yes Yes <br />Merriam's Wild Turkey Yes Yes <br />Red-naped sapsucker No Yes <br />Brewer's sparrow No No <br />Common trout' No No <br />Species observed during the several years of surveys have included elk, Merriam's wild <br />turkey and red-naped sapsucker, Northern goshawk and American marten. The chances <br />of any of these species being affected by the operations due to direct disturbance or <br />habitat loss is minimal. <br />Raptors <br />No goshawk nests were found during these surveys. Much of the area further up drainage <br />along Deep Creek was surveyed over a period of several years. During those years and <br />during winter surveys I conducted the last three winters single goshawks have been <br />observed. However, no nests have been found nor birds observed that acted like they <br />were defending a nesting territory during those surveys. <br />A Cooper's hawk nest was found in the NW 1/4 of Section 1 during the surveys in 2002. <br />This nest was checked again in 2007 and 2009 and was not active in either of those years. <br />This nest is behind a ridge and in drainage and cannot be observed from the proposed <br />drill sites. The nest appeared to be in good shape when checked in 2009. There is suitable <br />nesting habitat for these birds in drainages near the site, but no nests have been found in