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Southwestern willow flycatchers utilize dense willow, cottonwood, and buffaloberry <br />thickets (preferably a layered system of all three) with surface water or saturated soil <br />adjacent to or nearby the stand. Flycatcher habitat is interspersed throughout the <br />area along ditches and the perennial drainages. It consists of primarily monotypic <br />coyote willow stands and layered stands of willow, narrowleaf cottonwood, <br />buffaloberry, and wild rose. The river bottom consists mainly of narrowleaf and <br />Fremont cottonwood with limited pockets of shrubby understory. All of the listed <br />woody species are native to the Mancos Valley and are suited to the climatic <br />conditions with or without irrigation. Typically their growth and extent is enhanced <br />by irrigation and excess irrigation water. No known nesting pairs of Southwestern <br />willow flycatcher have been observed in the valley; however, migratory use is <br />evident. No effect on possible flycatcher habitat is expected: the sole areas which <br />might be suitable are in the buffer zones and the large ravine separating the north <br />and south areas, not to be mined. <br />Colorado pikeminnow and Razorback sucker habitat is associated with the <br />downstream riverine system entering into and including the San Juan River. No <br />habitat exists directly on the site. Depletion to this habitat type downstream will not <br />occur. <br />Mancos milkvetch is found on sandstone ledges in pinyon/juniper woodlands. There <br />are no sandstone outcrops on the site; none of the proposed action will affect this <br />type of habitat. <br />Mesa Verde cactus is found on sparsely vegetated shale or adobe clay badlands. <br />These areas may exist on the property but not in the areas to be mined, which are <br />all located above the shale outcrops along Mud Creek; therefore, the proposed <br />action will not affect this type of habitat. <br />Yellow-billed cuckoo is currently a candidate for listing as a threatened and <br />endangered species. This species is found in dense riparian habitat associated with <br />watercourses and mature cottonwood stands in the Mancos Valley. These habitat <br />types can be found in the area, but not on the site. According to the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife, the yellow-billed cuckoo is expected to be utilizing the Mancos <br />Valley, however, it is not commonly found there. There are no confirmed nesting <br />sites, but it may be presumed they do nest in the Mancos Valley area. The Mancos <br />River bottom is the likely habitat for this species, and none of the proposed actions <br />will adversely affect this type of habitat. <br />Northern leopard frog could occur in wetland habitats in the Mancos Valley if the <br />wetlands have adequate cover. While the wetlands on site do not appear to have <br />adequate cover, they will be protected, resulting in no net negative effects on <br />leopard frogs or their habitats. <br />Northern and Botta's pocket gophers use a variety of habitats including pasture land <br />and agricultural fields. Either species could occur in this part of Colorado. The mining <br />could have an effect on pocket gopher habitat if gopher burrows are intersected <br />by earthmoving equipment. Little or no effect on gophers and their habitats is <br />expected because gopher use of areas which are normally cultivated is minimal, <br />and due to previous disturbance on the site. <br />Ferruginous hawks may use the watershed area for foraging and to meet other <br />habitat needs. Agricultural areas may be more important to these hawks in the <br />Exhibits for 112(c) AM-02 Application - M-1994-108-2010- Page 45