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INTRODUCTION <br /> The black-footed ferret (MusW& digripasi is the only ferret native to North <br /> America. Current distribution of the black-footed ferret is unknown, although it is <br /> assumed to be greatly reduced from its original range. Because of this and because the <br /> black-footed ferret is considered one of the rarest mammals in North America, the <br /> black-footed ferret is Federally listed as an endangered species and receives full <br /> protection under the 1973 Endangered Species Act (P. L. 93-205). The Endangered <br /> Species Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or <br /> conducted by them is not likely to threaten the continued existence of any threatened <br /> or endangered species. In order for Federal agencies to protect black-footed ferret <br /> habitat,presence or absence of ferrets must be determined in their preferred habitats, <br /> prairie dog towns. <br /> Peabody Coal Company (Peabody) is considering expanding its Nucla Coal Mine <br /> operation near Nucla, Colorado. Since the new permit area, hereinafter referred to as <br /> the Nucla East Mine, encompasses areas known to support white-tailed prairie dog <br /> towns, Peabody retained the services of Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek) to <br /> inventory prairie dog towns within the permit area and a surrounding 0.5 mile <br /> perimeter zone (study area). Spotlight surveys for black-footed ferrets in prairie dog <br /> towns within the study area were also conducted since it was determined that the towns <br /> were of sufficient size to potentially support a population of ferrets. <br /> This report describes the survey methods used by Cedar Creek and summarizes the <br /> results of the surveys. Nomenclature used in this report follows Jones, et al. (1979) for <br /> mammals, American Ornithologists' Union (1982) for birds, and Stebbins (1%6) for <br /> reptiles and amphibians. <br />