2010-09-29_REVISION - M1981185 (12)

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May Day and Idaho Mine Complex 112 (d) Permit Application lor) and Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). Mountain lion and Canada lynx sightings were re- ported by the mine caretaker, Ray Ferguson. Black bear (Ursus americanus) scat was observed and coyote (Canus latrans) songs were heard while on site. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and American elk (a.k.a. wapiti; Cervus elaphus) are abundant in this areas and tracks and scat were also observed during site visits. The nearby San Juan In- ventoried Roadless Areas's (IRA) big game populations number approximately 44,000 elk and about 71,000 deer'. The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) summer range is at higher elevations to the west between Baldy and Baker Peaks'. They may over winter in Little Deadwood, but more likely in the less populated foothills to the east of the peaks. The project site provides healthy habitat for small mammals, rodents, cavity nesting birds and smaller predators. Smaller furbearing game species fairly common to the county include red fox ( Vulpes vulpes), American beaver (Castor canadensis), mountain cottontail (Felis concolor), raccoon (Procyon lotor), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and stripped skunk (Mephitis me- phitis). The small mammals include a variety of mice, chipmunks, squirrels, voles, gopher, woodrat, and bats. Passerine birds are the most notable wildlife type on this property with a large variety of species and active daytime habits. Red - tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the only common raptor. Reptiles and amphibians are less common in this montane slope habitat, but are expected to occur in the La Plata River floodplain. Insects are abundant and diverse in this health forest ecosystem. 6.4.8(1)(b) Seasonal Use by Wildlife of the Area The property is within the mid elevation (9000') for this montane region; therefore, elk and other seasonal migratory wildlife will typically use this area during the spring and fall. Elk winter be- low Baldy Mountain'. The spruce -fir forest habitat provides summer, fall and transitional habi- tats for mule deer. Deer in La Plata County tend to be migratory and winter below US Highway 160. It may also serve as an over - winter use area for these species during milder climate years. Because of the high concentration of big game prey species, the area is also important to moun- tain lion. Black bear depend on the mixture of native grasses, shrubs and forbs during the den emergence and summer hyperphagia (feasting before hibernation). As noted above, bighorn sheep may winter in this lower elevation area, as they are occasionally seen in La Plata Canyon and along the Junction Creek Road (USFS Road 171) Migratory birds may use the La Plata Canyon riparian zone during spring and fall migrations, though they may be inclined to rest either up or down river due to the close presence of the community of Mayday to the property boundaries. Also, the steep mountainous train of the can- yon leading to the higher Rocky Mountain peaks is not an easy route for migration. ' CDOW, 2006, Field Recommendations SW Rep-ion Area 15 for the San Juan IRAs.doc February 21, 2006. 18pp. http:/ /wildlife. state. co. us /NR/rdonlyres/ 11 E913FB- 3335- 4230- 85ED- F739662ADB 10 /0/FieldRecommendations SWReeionAreal5SanJuanIRAs.pddf accessed 2010- 09 -02. 2 hM2: / /www.co.igplata.co.us /departments and elected officials/boards commissions /living wildlife advisory board/deer faa accessed 2010- 09 -03. May Day Idaho Mine Complex 112(d) Permit Application September 21, 2010 2