Laserfiche WebLink
plan area is not considered black bear habitat therefore the species will not <br />be negatively impacted by mining activities. <br />2.4.3.7 Mountain Lion <br />There is no evidence to indicate that the mountain lion (Felis concolor) <br />occurs within or adjacent to the mine plan area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service (1978) considered the area west of the mine plan area, bounded on the <br />east by the Williams Fork river as mountain lion habitat. The possibility <br />then exists that a wandering lion could occasionally move through the mine <br />plan area or adjacent areas. The area, however, does not normally support the <br />activity of this species and mining will not have an impact on it. Should a <br />mountain lion occur in the area, it would most likely confine itt's movement <br />along the steep rocky areas on the south facing slopes of the Williams Fork <br />Mountains, where major deer concentrations occur during the Winter months. <br />2.4.3.8 Waterfowl <br />The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) occasionally uses the wheat fields adja- <br />cent to and within the proposed mine plan area in the spring and fall months. <br />The nearest nesting occurs 3 miles to the north and west of the mine plan area <br />along the Yampa River. Mining will have no effect on the Canada goose popula- <br />tion. Stubblemulch practice used in the reclamation process and sediment con- <br />trol ponds will effectively increase the potential use of the area by Canada <br />geese. <br />Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) are occasionally seen within the proposed <br />mine plan area on existing small stock ponds during the summer months. There <br />is no known nesting within these areas. However, wheat fields within and <br />adjacent to the proposed mine plan area are used during the fall. Mining will <br />have no effect on the mallard duck population but could increase the <br />2-164