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Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC <br />surface flow, especially those associated with the drainages altered by surface mining <br />activities. However, since the drainages in the proposed lease area are intermittent <br />streams, this impact may be minor for some wetland and riparian areas. Those drainages <br />not affected by surface mining will remain intact and continue to support wetland and <br />riparian vegetation. Wetland and riparian vegetation disturbed or lost as a result of <br />mining will be restored as required by Federal and State regulations. <br />Invasive, Nonnative Plants <br />Invasive weeds usually become established on disturbed sites with reduced native plant <br />cover. Wind, water, animals, and vehicular travel can disperse weed seed into new areas. <br />Interim rehabilitation efforts will facilitate control of invasive species and reduce the <br />chance for long -term establishment. Integrated weed management practices would be <br />employed to control noxious and invasive plants. <br />4.3.7 Wildlife Resources <br />Terrestrial <br />The proposed action and subsequent mining of the proposed lease area is expected to <br />result in localized short-term impacts to teriestrial wildlife. Considerable acreage of big <br />sagebrush and mountain shrub habitats are expected to be removed over the life of the <br />mine. Elk, deer, antelope, greater sage - grouse, Columbian sharp - tailed grouse, and <br />mourning dove habitat will be removed at the site of the surface mine and supporting <br />facilities. Off -site transportation corridors (e.g., roads, convey belt) may transect wildlife <br />habitat. Increased vehicle travel and noise from mining activities may affect some local <br />wildlife populations causing them to abandon the local area. Substantial wildlife habitat <br />will be restored with the rehabilitation of the existing ColoWyo Coal Mine. <br />In addition to direct habitat removal, big game may be displaced from areas surrounding <br />mining and related activities. In areas where patterns of mining activities are predictable, <br />deer, elk, and antelope may habituate to routine disturbance while puma and black bears <br />may tend to avoid areas where mining disturbance and human occupation occurs. Big <br />game mortality on existing roads is not anticipated to increase because most of these <br />roads are used to service the present ColoWyo coal mine. <br />Habitat will also be affected by development of the surface mine but the degree of impact <br />will vary with species. Displaced animals such as songbirds and small mammals may be <br />able to re- locate to areas outside of the proposed lease area if population dynamics are <br />such to allow more individuals into undisturbed habitat. Raptor nests that occur in the <br />proposed mine area may be removed and re- located to un- affected sites. Raptor foraging <br />will probably not be affected by the proposed mine because regional habitat will be not <br />be altered by mining activities. <br />Based upon the availability of wildlife habitat including big game and game bird winter <br />and summer ranges throughout the region, habitat removal and wildlife displacement <br />resulting from surface mining within the proposed lease area is not expected to result in a <br />PROJECTS l SS EA PircJ81.N1 -% -EA Collon,OS 01 ,H >d... <br />50 <br />