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C potential usage of the area due to stubblemulch practices and the construction <br />of stockwater and sediment control structures during the reclamation process. <br />2.4.4 Raptors <br />Birds of prey are common throughout the mine plan area. Table 2.4-1 lists <br />raptor species known to occur within the mine plan area and adjacent areas <br />while Table 2.4-2 lists species that could possibly occur within these same <br />areas. An aerial raptor survey (Appendix E) was performed in 1980. Map M25 <br />illustrates results of the survey i.e. nest locations and bird sightings. In <br />addition, incidental sightings by environmental quality personnel are indi- <br />cated. <br />No threatened or endangered raptor species were encountered during the sur- <br />veys. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a winter user of the Yampa <br />and Williams Fork Rivers north and west of the proposed mine plan area, is <br />discussed in Section 2.4.2. The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) which <br />receives the same protection as the bald eagle under the Bald Eagle Protection <br />Act, was sighted during the raptor survey. Map M25 illustrates nesting sites <br />within and adjacent to the proposed mine plan area. Sites MF-15, MF-15 Alt <br />and MF-64 were provided by the Colorado Division of Wildlife in Grand Junction <br />(Lytle, 1980). Table 2.4-5 illustrates the status of these nest sites based <br />on information provided by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Trapper's rap- <br />tor survey found that MF-15 and MF-15 Alt were inactive. Site MF-64 showed <br />whitewash and signs of activity. However, no birds were observed on the nest <br />during the survey but were observed perched or soaring in the area. A previ- <br />ously unmapped and active golden eagle nest, illustrated as AQC-1 on Map M25, <br />was found during the survey. In addition, 2 inactive nests, AQC-2 and AQC-3, <br />were found during a survey on foot into the area. Mature birds were observed <br />on the nest during the aerial raptor survey and the survey on foot to the nest <br />site. The landowner said that two eaglets were raised on the nest in 1979. <br />No nests were located within the proposed mine plan area. <br />A prairie falcon aerie was reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in <br />August, 1982 (Finley, 1982). Trapper has surveyed this <br />2-165 <br />REVISED AUG 19 '87