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removed from the pockets of spruce-fir found in the project area and there is a lack of <br />connectivity between the higher elevation stands and the small stringers or pockets at lower <br />elevations. The riparian habitat along the Dry Fork and Deep Creek drainages does not support 1 <br />a prey base capable of sustaining any lynx in the winter. <br />Based upon data that has been collected during studies conducted by Monarch and Ward in <br />spring, summer and winter surveys, suitable denning habitat for lynx is lacking in the area. Even <br />though there were areas mapped in the EIS as potential denning habitat they do not fit the <br />conditions where lynx are known to den. Dens are typically found at elevations above 10,000 <br />feet in mature stands of Englemann spruce and fir and on east and north facing slopes. Within <br />the project area these conditions are lacking. There are some small widely scattered stands of <br />spruce/fir along the bottoms with a limited amount of downfall, but there is no connectivity <br />between these stands. This further reduces the potential for the area to support any lynx. <br />USFS REGION 2 SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />The USDA Forest Service, Region 2 lists a total of 58 terrestrial vertebrates, fish, invertebrates <br />and plant species, which occur, potentially occur, or habitat for which occurs in the GMUG as <br />sensitive. Only those species that are known to or could potentially occur in the project area in <br />winter are discussed in this report. A review of information on these species shows that for 2 <br />species either they are known to occur or suitable habitat exists in this portion of the Gunnison <br />National Forest (See Table 5). The purpose of this section is to analyze the effects of the E-Seam <br />project, to determine if the proposed activities are likely to cause a loss of viability or a trend <br />toward Federal listing under the Endangered Species Act for any of these species. <br />Aft r <br />Table 5 <br />REGION 2 SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />Species Status Habitat Present Species Present <br />Terrestrial vertebrates: <br />Wolverine FS Yes (1) No <br />American marten FS Yes Yes <br />Bald eagle FS Yes (1) No <br />Northern goshawk FS Yes Yes <br />1. Habitat is almost non-existent in or adjacent to the study area. <br />dft <br />Mr 18 <br />r