2012-03-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010088 (19)

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4.1.2.3 Kit Fox, Red Fox, Coyote, and Raccoon: Kit fox are not likely to occur in the project area due to the lack of suitable habitat and competition with coyote and red fox. The project is not likely to affect coyote, red fox and raccoon since the primary habitat along Reed Wash will not be affected. Habitat for den sites occurs along the banks of Reed Wash and the two terraces above the wash. 4.1.3 Small Mammals 4.1.3.1 Rodents and Lagomorphs: Populations of these species may be affected within the project site in the area of disturbance and not likely affected outside the project area. Impacts to local populations would be expected to be minor. These species are the most abundant wildlife families in the project area. Reproduction can occur throughout the year for some rodent species such as mice; however, the spring and summer months are typically when higher levels of reproduction take place. 4.2 BIRDS 4.2.1 Passerine Species: Surveys indicate that the greasewood habitat within the project area is occupied by nesting birds. Approximately 5 -6 acres of greasewood habitat, potentially suitable for foraging, nesting habitat and cover, would become unavailable during the life of the project. Breeding bird surveys indicate that habitat capable of supporting 1.3 Lark Sparrow nests and 0.13 Vesper Sparrow nests would be effected by the rail spru alignment. Both species are common in westcentral Colorado and throughtout Mesa County. Potential breeding bird diversity is higher in the riparian and wetland environment (12 species) than in the greasewood shrublands (3 species). However, the biological survey does not indicate a large or diverse nesting population of birds along Reed Wash. Twelve active or potential nest sites composed of 10 species were found along Reed Wash and in the Loma Drain wetland. The overstory vegetation is dominated by tamarisk, which is not high quality nesting habitat, since it is a non - native plant species. Some bird species nesting in project area may be affected due to disturbance by the presence and use of the rail spur. It is suspected, that an unknown portion of the species will habituate to new disturbance and continue to occupy suitable habitat. During the biological surveys, passerine bird species were observed regularly foraging in the habitat adjacent to both sides of the existing Union Pacific railroad. Species, such as the nesting Cliff Swallows, are successfully nesting under an active highway bridge (Highway 6 &50) that is within approximately 100 ft of the Union Pacific railroad. Land clearing during the breeding season (April through mid -July) would disrupt the courting, territory establishment or nesting activities of migratory birds and would likely result in direct mortality of some birds, particularly early in the nesting season when young are not yet fledged and capable of sustained flight. While there would likely be a small reduction in nesting at the local project site scale, displaced birds would relocate to adjacent suitable habitat sites. It is likely that the proposed action would have no measurable influence on the abundance or distribution of migratory birds in the Reed Wash area. 22