2010-11-16_PERMIT FILE - C1996083A (27)

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I ~ J.E. Stover & Associates, Inc December 6, 2006 Page 5 eagles on the North Fork River, which provides their preferred prey (fish and waterfowl), and given the availability of aseveral-mile-long stretch of cottonwood galleries and potential roosts in the river bottom that is removed from mining activity, it is likely that bald eagles occur only infrequently within the mine boundary. The lands within the Bowie #2 mine boundary contribute only marginally to sustaining wintering bald eagle populations in the North Fork Valley. Potential impacts of the proposed actions to bald eagles are primarily disturbance of possible night- roosting areas around permitted surface disturbances. However, given the bald eagle's low fidelity to night roosts, such impacts are not likely to cause measurable effects on bald eagles. Water depletion in the upper Colorado River basin resulting from mine operations could potentially affect bald eagle winter foraging habitat. The effects of water depletion would depend on the extent that forage fish habitat is affected by the mine's water consumption. Nevertheless, because fish do not form the sole prey base for bald eagles in the North Fork valley, the water consumption occurring as a result of the renewal of the mine permit is not likely to cause measurable effects on bald eagles. Canada Ivnx The lynx was listed as a threatened species in 2000 at Federal Register 65(58):16051-16086. Although it was never abundant, the lynx has historically occurred in appropriate habitat in upper montane and subalpine zones throughout central Colorado.18 Re-introductions of lynx in the state have met with some success, with CDOW reporting about 47 percent survivorship and moderate to high reproductivity (23 possible mating pairs) of the 204 animals released since 1999.19 Designated critical habitat for lynx is currently being proposed at Federal Register 70(216):68294-68328 by USFWS in portions of Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Although no designated critical habitat for lynx is being proposed in Colorado, USFS and other federal agencies have identified lynx habitat statewide based on vegetation data, including denning, winter foraging, and other lynx habitat. Agencies have also designated Lynx Analysis Units (LAUs) which generally correspond to watersheds, cover an area large enough to sustain an entire lynx home range, and are used for landscape-level planning and impact analysis.20 Lynx habitat linkage areas have also been identified, and represent areas of essential connectivity between large blocks of mapped suitable lynx habitat. Approximately 120 acres of the Bowie #2 permit area fall within the mapped Crater Lake LAU on USFS lands. Primary lynx habitat in Colorado includes coniferous forests of spruce and fir or lodgepole pine. Secondary habitat consists of aspen or Douglas-fir mixed with primary coniferous habitat, between 8,000 and 11,500 feet elevation 20 Lynx typically forage in uneven-aged forests with shrubs or small trees that provide habitat for snowshoe hares, their primary prey. Small forest openings with low cover enhance foraging habitat, although lynx mostly avoid openings larger than several acres. Closed canopy forests with significant dead and down trees provide optimum denning habitat. In 1e Seitlel, J., Andree, B., Berlinger, S., Buell, K., Byrne, G., Gill, B., Kerwin, D., Reed, D.. 1998. Draft strategy for the conservation antl reestablishment of lynx and wolverine in fhe southern rocky mountains. Colorado Division or Wiltllife, Denver, Colorado. 19 Shenk, T. 2006 (Colorado Division of Wiltllife Biologist). 2006. Lynz update, March 12. Available at http:/Iwiltllifeslate.co. usINR/rdonlyres/4328B4E3-271 F-4A10-904F-E628869CF1 E1 /0/LynxUpdateMar122006.pdf. 20 Ruediger, Bill, Jim Claar, Steve Gniatlek, Bryon Holt Lyle Lewis, Steve Mighton, Bob Naney, Gary Patton, Tony Rinaltli, Joel Trick, Anne Vantlehey, Fred Wahl, Nancy Warren, Dick Wenger, antl AI Williamson. 2000. Canada lynx conservation assessment and strategy. • 2nd Ed. USDA Foresl Service, USDI Fish &Wiltllife Service, USDI Bureau of Lantl Management, antl USDI National Park Service. Missoula Montana. ® Rare Earth Science, LLC