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=Walsh <br />Environmental Scientists and Engineers, L LC <br />3.8 Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Resources <br />3.8.1 Terrestrial <br />Information gathering to describe the wildlife resources of the proposed coal lease area is <br />currently underway (M. Phelan, Cedar Creek Associates, Inc., personal communication). <br />Field surveys have been conducted but others may be required. Detailed wildlife <br />resources information will be presented with the permitting application. <br />Background information on wildlife in the vicinity of the proposed lease area was drawn <br />from State and Federal agencies. The CDOW keeps information on species of economic <br />interest (e.g., big game, game birds), and other species of concern (e.g., raptors). CDOW <br />wildlife profile maps were consulted for graphic depictions of range and critical habitat <br />for these species (http: // wildlife. state .co.us /WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/). <br />The CHNP maintains a database on "rare and imperiled" species. This includes state- and <br />federally - listed threatened and endangered species, and other species considered to be <br />rare, sensitive, or declining. CHNP information is updated annually; the most recent <br />version was reviewed for this assessment ( http: / /www.cnhp.colostate.edu). <br />Big Game <br />Elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghorn (Antilocapra <br />americana), inhabit the proposed lease area. The CDOW has developed mapping which <br />depicts the seasonal distribution and important habitat areas for these three species in <br />association with the lease area (http: // wildlife. state .co.us /WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/). <br />Black bear (Ursus americanus) and puma (Felis concolor) also range throughout the <br />area. <br />Small Game and Furbearers <br />Fifteen species of small game mammals and furbearers should occur in the area (Meaney <br />1990). These would include porcupine (Erethizon dorsatura), coyote (Canis latrans), and <br />raccoon (Procyon lotor). <br />Non -game Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, and Amphibians <br />The non -game fauna of the proposed lease area will be fully described during the state <br />permitting process. An estimated 26 mammals, 70 birds, 7 reptile, and 4 amphibian <br />species probably occur in the proposed lease area (Hammerson and Langlois 1981, <br />Kingery and Dillon 1987, Meaney 1990). Shrews, bats, chipmunks, mice, voles, and <br />woodrats are among the non -game mammal species that undoubtedly inhabit the area. <br />Deer mice (Peromyscus manieulatus), least chipmunks (Eutamias minimus), and montane <br />vole (Microtus montanus) are common mammals. A diverse assemblage of birds <br />occupies all habitats of the proposed lease area. The boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris <br />triseriat maculata), northern sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), and wandering <br />garter snake (Thamnophis elegalas vagrans) are common amphibian and reptile species. <br />P PROLE( ISCnbew CS FnmiALAI.- LS(vlk.mPP M iu. <br />35 <br />