2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2009087A (11)

Home Browse Search

RULE 2 - PERMITS No females were observed at that time. No Columbian sharp - tailed grouse were found at the site • during the 2008 surveys, but this location will continue to be monitored during the annual surveys to determine whether it should be considered a lek site (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Annan's Twentymile Columbian sharp- tailed grouse Leks Overall, the number of Columbian sharp- tailed grouse attending these leks has been declining. All three leks were discovered in 1993. Historical records from 1996 to 2000 indicate that the combined total male attendance at the Annan's Twentymile 1 and Annan's Twentymile 2 leks contributed to greater than 50 percent of the male grouse recorded at all monitored lek sites. Male attendance at the Annan's Twentymile 1 and Annan's Twentymile 2 leks remained relatively constant from 2001 to 2003, but there was a marked decline occurring in 2004 which lowered the numbers significantly. In 2008, seven males and one female were observed at Annan's Twentymile 1 lek. After 2004, male attendance at the Annan's Twentymile 2 lek had been relatively low with only two males documented at the lek in 2007 and no grouse were observed at the lek in 2008. Attendance at the Annan's Twentymile 3 lek also decreased substantially after a peak count of 23 males was recorded in 1999. Between 2002 and 2008, Columbian sharp- tailed grouse have been observed at or near the Annan's Twentymile 3 lek in only three years (2004, 2007, and 2008) (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Yoast Mine Road Columiban sharp- tailed grouse Lek Columbian sharp- tailed grouse attendance has been fairly steady at the Yoast Mine Road lek from the time it was discovered in 2000 through the two following years, with approximately 10 males in attendance each of those years. No Columbian sharp- tailed grouse have been recorded at the lek • from 2003 through 2008 except for two individuals of undetermined sex, which were flushed from the site in 2005 (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Trousdale and Trousdale Satellite Columbian sharp- tailed grouse Lek CDOW records indicate that the Trousdale lek has been active since 2002. In 2004, ICF Jones & Stokes discovered a probable satellite lek location for the Trousdale lek in the SW 1 /a NE 1 /a of Section 32 T6N R87W. Since then, ICF Jones & Stokes have documented no Columbian sharp - tailed grouse at the Trousdale lek site, but male attendance at the Trousdale Satellite lek location has steadily increased from two to more than 16 males in each year from 2004 to 2007. In 2008, Columbian sharp- tailed grouse were absent from the Trousdale lek, but seven males and one female were recorded at the Trousdale Satellite lek (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Fifer Columbian sharp- tailed grouse Lek The Fifer lek was discovered in 2005. In 2005 at least 10 males and two females were observed at the lek. The following years have been variable with one male documented in 2006 and at least 12 males observed in 2007. In 2008, only one male and a second ( undetermined sex) individual were recorded at or near the lek (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Greater sage - grouse — No greater sage - grouse winter range or severe winter range is present in the PSCM permit area, but the western third of the PSCM permit area is designated by CDOW to be production areas. A small area of brooding habitat designated by CDOW is also present on the western edge of the PSCM permit area (CDOW, 2008a). The PSCM surface disturbance area has • no greater sage - grouse seasonal ranges (Map 2.04.11 -M3, Wildlife Information - Grouse) PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -158 6/15/09