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Bald eagles, however, winter in the vicinity of Stonewall <br />• and are occasionally observed at other locations along the Purgatoire <br />River in areas of large cottonwood trees (Holder 1994). Mining <br />operations are not projected to impact the wintering habitats. This <br />is based on the following conclusions. First, the mine has been in <br />operation for many years, therefore any eagles in the area are already <br />accustom to any mine disturbances. Also, no new impacts to the <br />fishery, riparian habitats, water quality, or aquatic habitat are <br />anticipated as a result of mine operations. <br />Five threatened or endangered mammal species ( black-footed <br />ferret, river otter, wolverine, gray wolf and grizzly bear) occurring <br />in Colorado have historic range in this area. Three of these species <br />are believed to be extirpated in Colorado, they are the black-footed <br />ferret, gray wolf, and the grizzly bear. In addition, no prairie dog <br />colonies were observed during the 1984 site reconnaissance therefore <br />no potential black-footed ferret habitat exists. <br />• There have been unconfirmed reports of river otters in the <br />general mine area. A pair of otters was reported on the South Fork <br />of the Purgatoire River in 1993. However subsequent searches of the <br />area have not indicated any otters using this area (Holder 1994). <br />However, no impacts to otters are anticipated do to the lack of <br />disturbance to the river or the aquatic habitat within the project <br />area. <br />Wolverines are known to occur in Colorado however, in <br />limited numbers. There have been no documented reports of wolverines <br />in the general mine area. <br />The greenback cutthroat trout is listed as having historic <br />range in this area, however, with rainbow and brown trout being <br />present, competition has eliminated the greenback. The Arkansas River <br />speckled chub and Arkansas darter are listed as endangered species <br />lower in the watershed, however, should not be impacted because of no <br />• additional water diversion associated with the current mining <br />operation. <br />2.04-51 (Revised 01-04-94) <br />