2010-09-27_REVISION - X200521710

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Table 10: Migratory Birds of Conservation Concern y C oininon i?an e M ?cient?fic Ivaine ituti :itl n Sai UFO orFli G Yrmpe Yi?a?ect :1rea = Veery Catharus fuscescens Not present No Bendire's Thrasher Toxostoma bendirei Not present No Grace's Warbler Dendroica graciae Breeding Yes Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri Breeding Yes Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Not present No Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus Not present No Black Rosy-Finch Leucosticte atrata Winter No Brown-capped Rosy-Finch Leucosticte australis Winter No Cassin's Finch Carpodacus cassind Breeding Yes Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: Proposed Action - The proposed drill sites and new road construction would remove available habitat from relatively few acres in a much larger area of similar habitat. There would be no intentional take of these species as a consequence of the proposed action. Indirect effects may include the loss of perch and nest sites, and reduction of vegetation supporting small mammal or invertebrate prey for some species. Short-term displacement of individuals may occur due to construction and drilling activities (noise, human activity, and dust). At times, proposed road construction or drilling could coincide with the breeding period for one or more of these species (March through August). Direct effects to migratory birds may include nests and/or eggs crushed or destroyed by project activities, and the loss of the young birds during the year when drilling takes place, however mitigation measures should reduce this potential impact. Adult birds would most likely avoid areas during exploration activities. Road construction and drilling areas may be temporarily unsuitable for some species (approx. 12.1 acres; see vegetation section). For the long-term, surface disturbance on 8.2 acres would be reclaimed and there would be a loss of 3.9 acres of mountain shrubs. In the short-term, the proposed action may impact individuals, but the small acreage involved is not expected to have a measurable impact on migratory bird populations or viability. Mitigation: Mitigation resulting from the 2005 Spruce Stomp EA is still considered adequate for USFS lands (see Appendix A). The following mitigation is specific to BLM Lands: 1) Protection of migratory birds: Seasonal restrictions, from May 15-Aug 1, apply to all vegetation disturbing activities unless the area has a current year clearance survey (see below). 2) In order to lift the seasonal restriction for road and pad construction and to preclude potential disturbance to nesting raptors: pre-construction raptor surveys will be conducted by a qualified biologist during the breeding period in suitable nesting . habitat within 0.25 mile of the disturbance area to determine presence of nests or breeding raptors. Once clearance surveys are completed, if no active nests are found, DOI-BLM-CO-S050-2010- 0017 EA Page 29 of 43 May 2010