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disturbance and move between areas that are undeveloped including the BLM parcels in the area <br />(Mark Lamb, CDOW, pers. com.). <br />The site is within CDOW mapped elk winter range, a polygon that covers approximately 22,950 acres. <br />However, the proposed project would not substantially increase the amount of disturbance to wildlife <br />species in this area during the winter months above what is already occurring on private lands. The <br />mine will not be operational during this time period and the resulting surface disturbance is small; less <br />than 5 acres. There are no other mapped critical big game use areas affected by the proposed project. <br />The proposed project is not within a big game migration corridor or near a high use highway crossing <br />area. <br />A portion of available habitat may not be utilized by wildlife due to its proximity to the mine and the <br />activity associated with the site when the mine is active. It is not unreasonable to assume that species <br />such as mule deer and elk will abandon habitat within 1/4 mile of the mine location during operation, <br />resulting in a 40 acres loss of habitat. Increases in traffic along the public road ways will inherently <br />increase the probability of vehicle - wildlife collisions. Fencing, if in excess of five feet around the <br />mine site, will likely exclude large game from using the area while the mine is not in operation; <br />however, the footprint is relatively small when compared to the surrounding available habitat. <br />Cumulative Impacts: The project area is located on an 80 acre parcel of BLM approximately 1/4 <br />mile from the city of Fairplay and is surrounded by private land. The adjacent private land is <br />subdivided and developed with roads and homes present. It is likely that terrestrial wildlife that is <br />currently present has been habituated to the exurban development; however, the carrying capacity for <br />most species has likely been reduced in the vicinity. Recreational activities (hunting, OHV riding, <br />mountain biking, snowmobiling, etc.) are occurring and are reasonably certain to continue on the <br />adjacent private lands. This project would result in a moderate disturbance in a small area. The <br />proposed action will likely cause an additive negative impact to terrestrial wildlife when viewed in <br />conjunction with activities currently occurring and reasonably certain to occur on adjacent private <br />lands. However, the impact will be minimal when viewed at a landscape scale. <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: The winter shutdown period should surround the dates of <br />December 1 to April 30, the time in which elk are most likely to use winter range. <br />No Action Alternative <br />Direct and Indirect Impacts: None <br />Cumulative Impacts: None <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: None <br />Alternative 1 <br />Direct and Indirect Impacts: Same as the proposed action <br />Cumulative Impacts: Same as the proposed action <br />Mitigation/Residual Effects: Same as the proposed action <br />34 <br />