2012-02-28_REVISION - M1980244 (97)

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Baseline Technical Report ARCADES Report for Soils and Biological Resources, MLE2 Project Area cool, shady canyons, often on north - facing slopes (Andrews and Righter 1992) or on ledges or in cavities in canyon walls (Ganey and Balda 1994). Previous CNHP data (CNHP 1999) show recorded occurrences to the south, east, and north of the survey area. The USFWS has designated three areas of critical habitat in Colorado. The closest critical habitat area is known as SRM -C -1a and encompasses areas to the south, east, and northeast of the survey area ( USFWS 2007). Limited areas of potential foraging habitat for the Mexican spotted owl exist in Sections 2, 4, and 5 of the survey area. However, little to no nesting habitat (old - growth forests, steep canyons) exists in the survey area. Based on the limited size of observed foraging habitat patches and the distance from known critical habitat, Mexican spotted owls are not expected to occur in the survey area. 5.2 Mammals 5.2.1 Botta's Pocket Gopher The Botta's pocket gopher is a state species of concern. It can be found in a variety of vegetation types, including agricultural lands, grasslands, roadsides, open parklands, pinyon - juniper woodlands, open montane forests, and montane shrublands (NDIS 2011). Habitat, particularly in natural grassland and open conifer dominated woodlands, is present within the survey area. No individual Botta's pocket gophers were observed within the survey area. However, distinctive burrow mounds of pocket gophers (plugged mounds) were observed in natural grasslands in the survey area. 5.2.2 Gunnison's Prairie Dog The Gunnison's prairie dog is a candidate for federal listing. Gunnison's prairie dogs require deep, well- drained soils for development of burrows. Topography of inhabited areas is generally flat to gently rolling, with slopes generally less than 30 percent. Gunnison's prairie dog colonies can typically be found in relatively open plant communities with short- stature vegetation (Seglund and Schnurr 2010). Natural grasslands within the survey area support Gunnison's prairie dog habitat. An active prairie dog colony, in the upwards of 50 plus burrows, was found directly adjacent to the northeastern edge of Section 2 of the survey area (Figure 4 -1). No burrows or individuals appeared to extend into the survey area, particularly because a relatively CCV Baseline Soils Biology Resource Report (11- 17- 11).doc 23