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

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RULE 2 - PERMITS Ground squirrels (Spermophilus sp.) were the most common mammal within the area, but many other mammals were nearly as abundant, including the porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), yellow- bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris), and least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus) (see Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information, for a complete species list). Other upland game birds - The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) was the only other upland game bird recorded on or near the permit area during the 2008 surveys. Mourning doves occur regularly throughout the area during late spring and summer. They were usually associated with agricultural lands, tree windbreaks, or perched on power lines (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Regular sightings of blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) have been documented in most years, from one to three individuals each year. No blue grouse were observed in 2008 in the vicinity of the PSCM permit area. The majority of past observations have included lone displaying males on the Seneca II Mine in the SE 1 /4 of Section 36 T6N R87W, N 1 /z of Section 1 T5N R87W, or NE 1 /4 of Section 2 T5N R87W. A few observations have been recorded elsewhere in the area within the past 10 years. Lone displaying males have been documented north of the Twentymile County Road in the SW 1 /4 SE 1 /4 of Section 28 T6N R87W and near one of the haul roads associated with the Yoast Mine in the NE 1 /4 SW 1 /4 of Section 8 T5N R87W (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Fish - With the exception of Grassy Creek and Little Grassy Creek, there are no perennial streams within the permit boundary. Grassy Creek is a perennial stream but was recorded to be intermittent • in 2007 at one out of the four surface water sample locations. Little Grassy Creek was intermittent in 2008 at the southern limit of the PSCM disturbance area and perennial below the Wadge Impoundment (Pond 002). Please see Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Description, for more information on flows and water quality standards. Other drainages in the permit area are intermittent or ephemeral and do not have sufficient sustained flows to support fisheries. No fish surveys have been required by CDOW or CDRMS for any of the mines since no suitable fish habitat exists on the Seneca II Mine, Yoast Mine, or the PSCM. Special Status Species No specific baseline studies were required for the permit area for any special status species, with the exception of the lek surveys for the two grouse species, the raptor nest surveys, and the greater sandhill crane surveys. Special status species include federal or state: listed threatened, endangered, or candidate species; state species of special concern; and BLM sensitive species. ICF Jones & Stokes monitored for any incidental observations of federally listed species while conducting other wildlife surveys on the site (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Table 2.04.11 -T6 lists 22 special status species for Routt County, Colorado (BLM 2008; CDOW 2007; CDOW 2008b; USFWS 2008). The table includes the species' federal or state status, habitat associations and likelihood of occurrence in the SCCC permit area. For twelve of the 22 special status species, the likelihood of occurrence is low due to the lack of suitable habitat. The remaining species with potential to occur in the permit area are described in further detail below. C , PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -166 6/15/09