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Gunnison sage- grouse (Centrocercus minima) is currently a candidate species. Federal <br />candidates for official listing as threatened or endangered have no legal protection under the <br />ESA. We are expecting to make a proposed determination on listing the Gunnison sage- grouse <br />later this year. If we propose to list the Gunnison sage - grouse in this determination, we will also <br />propose a critical habitat designation for the species. We appreciate your consideration of <br />Gunnison sage - grouse during your project planning. The sagebrush shrubland within the vicinity <br />of the proposed project site is classified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as potential habitat for <br />Gunnison sage - grouse. Should the species become listed, you should evaluate your action to <br />determine if the project may result in take of Gunnison sage - grouse. <br />The determination in this document is based on the information provided by the Office of <br />Surface Mining. If new information becomes available, if a new species becomes listed, if <br />incidental take occurs, if the total average annual amount of water depleted by this project <br />changes, or if any other project element changes which alters the operation of the project from <br />that which is described in your correspondence and which may affect any endangered or <br />threatened species in a manner or to an extent not considered in this BO (see 50 CFR 402.16), <br />formal section 7 consultation should be reinitiated. The Office of Surface Mining should <br />condition its approval documents to retain jurisdiction should section 7 consultation need to be <br />reinitiated. <br />If the Service can be of further assistance, please contact me at (970) 243 -2778, extension 26 or <br />patty elan fws. gov. <br />PGelatt:OSMNewHonzonNorthMineBOGJ4l 9. docx:040912 KM <br />2 <br />Sincere <br />Patricia S. Gelatt <br />Western Colorado Supervisor <br />