2011-03-14_REVISION - M1977493 (49)

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CM0001464 Climax Mine - Robinson Lake Pump Station Replacement • Eagle County 1041 Application Submittal Project, are summarized below (a copy of this report is included as Attachment D): Critical Wildlife Habitats - The project would not affect critical wildlife habitats. The site (East Fork Pump Station and pipeline) is used primarily as summer range for mule deer and American elk. No tracks or signs of predators was observed, but black bear could occur. If so, the site would comprise a very small percentage of the total home range. Coyotes could also occur but would also not be adversely affected. Big Game Migratory Routes - The site does not appear to be along or across a movement corridor or "migratory" route. Furthermore, any disruption of use by big game would be temporary during actual construction and would quickly reestablish once construction has ceased. Calving Grounds - The site does not have the habitat components normally associated with elk calving areas, nor were signs of elk calving observed (e.g., tracks of young animals). • Nesting Area and Habitats of Rare and Endangered Species - No rare, threatened, or endangered species are expected to be adversely affected by the project. While the current (Feb. 2008) United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed and Candidate Species for Eagle County is different than the list of species considered in the 1998 evaluation, the findings relative to the species identified in the 1998 report are considered relevant due to the proximal location of the Robinson Lake Pump Station Replacement Project area, and generally less favorable habitat conditions (less forested and disturbed nature of the area). Several additional fish species are included on the 2008 USFWS list (Bonytail, Colorado Pikeminnow, Humpback chub, and Razorback sucker), but because the Robinson Lake Project will not affect any aquatic habitat, no adverse impacts are anticipated. The Black-footed Ferret, Mexican Spotted Owl, Uncompahgre Fritillary Butterfly, and Ute Ladies'-Tresses were not included in the 1998 evaluation, but currently appear on the 2008 USFWS list. A brief discussion of these species is provided below: o Black-footed Ferret: Depend almost exclusively on prairie dog colonies for food, shelter, and denning. There are no prairie dog colonies in the Project area and therefore no adverse impacts are anticipated. o Mexican Spotted Owl: Habitat for this species consists of rocky canyons with mature, unevenly-aged, structurally complex stands of mixed conifer forest, which is not found in the Project area. No adverse impact anticipated. o Uncompahgre Fritillary Butterfly: In general, most invertebrates prefer undisturbed • 10