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in both types. This similarity of the rangeland avifauna to that of the farmsteads and <br /> orchards is due to the tree component present in the habitat block where the belt transect <br /> was located. This situation was unavoidable while locating a sampling site sufficiently <br /> large to gather meaningful data. Bird densities in components of the rangeland with only <br /> a shrub overstory would be substantially less. <br /> Reptiles and Amphibians. A list of the reptiles and amphibians of actual and/or potential <br /> occurrence in the Nucla East study area is presented in Table 9. Only three species, the <br /> woodhouse's toad, smooth green snake, and western terrestrial garter snake were identified <br /> from within the study area. The garter snake was by far the most frequently observed <br /> species being noted across the study area in all the habitats. The smooth green snake was <br /> found on 22 May 1987 at the edge of an irrigated pasture. The woodhouse's toad was <br /> occasionally seen in irrigated agricultural areas. The remaining confirmed species (the <br /> collared lizard, eastern fence lizard, sagebrush lizard, tree lizard, plateau whiptail , <br /> and gopher snake) were all found outside the study area. They were present in undisturbed <br /> rangeland situations containing sagebrush shrubland and pinyon-juniper woodland with <br /> scattered rocky outcrops in both Calamity and Tuttle Draws. <br /> Fishes. General reconnaissance, and interviews with local residents produced little <br /> information regarding fishes or other aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates. A single <br /> individual of an unidentified fish species (probably a Cyprinid) was observed in a small <br /> lateral irrigation ditch in the study area. In addition, carp (Cyprinus carpio) were <br /> observed "mouthing" the water surface on several stock ponds in the area. On one <br /> occasion, two young boys were observed fishing for carp at a pond located to the west of <br /> the study area. It is possible that some of the ponds may have been stocked with other <br /> warm water fishes (Centrarchids and Ictalurids) by the local residents, although this <br /> could not be confirmed. It is extremely doubtful that the ponds could sustain populations <br /> of cold water Salmonids. The irrigation ditches and natural drainages probably do not <br /> support breeding populations of any fish species because of their intermittent nature. <br /> Important Habitats <br /> The Nucla East Wildlife Study area, as described above, is predominantly the result of <br /> agricultural and urban related land uses. On a regional scale, land under such intensive <br /> use is of limited value to native wildlife populations. As such, additional impacts to <br /> native wildlife populations and habitats within the region from the proposed mining <br /> 11-2-35 Revised 04/11/88 <br />