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between 7,800 and 9,300 feet. While elevations in the area approach 7,500 feet, no occurrences <br />of Autumn willow have been identified in the project area. <br />Wildlife: The sagebrush, pastureland and mixed brush vegetation types in this area support a <br />variety of wildlife species. Information on wildlife in the vicinity of the project area was obtained <br />from federal and state agencies, as well as, site - specific studies for adjacent coal properties. The <br />Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), in partnership <br />with CNHP, keep information on area wildlife including big game and game birds and other <br />species of concern. This includes federally- and state - listed threatened and endangered (T &E) <br />species, and other species considered to be rare or of special interest. Seneca Coal Company <br />(SCC), an affiliated company (both are wholly -owned subsidiaries of Peabody Energy <br />Corporation), has conducted annual site - specific surveys of the Sage Creek area as part of its <br />mine permit reclamation monitoring requirements for both the Seneca II and Yoast mines. <br />Big Game: The project area provides good year -round habitat for deer, elk and pronghorn. The <br />CPW and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have identified winter range and critical <br />winter range within the project and adjacent areas (Natural Diversity Information Source; <br />http: / /www. ndis.nrel.colostate.edu; accessed 4/7/08). Aerial surveys conducted in 2007 by SCC <br />mapped elk herds wintering along the eastern edge of the project area. <br />Raptors: The project area contains potential habitat for raptors, including known nesting sites in <br />the sandstone cliffs along the eastern and southern boundary. CPW data includes historic nest <br />sites of golden eagles, red - tailed hawks, and other Buteo species. Map 3 shows raptor habitats <br />identified by SCC in their annual wildlife surveys. Adjacent areas contain historic nest locations <br />for great horned owl and prairie falcon. Bald eagles are listed as a state threatened species. CPW <br />data shows a historic bald eagle nest location approximately 2 miles north of the project area, as <br />well as, winter range along the Yampa River corridor. The ferruginous hawk and peregrine <br />falcon are state listed species of concerns, as well as on the BLM's sensitive species list. Their <br />occurrence in the area is likely, however, there are no known nest locations in or near the Sage <br />Creek area (CPW data shows the nesting distribution for the ferruginous hawk further to the west <br />in Moffat County). <br />Game Birds, sage - grouse and Columbian sharp- tailed grouse (both state and BLM species <br />of concern) are known to inhabit and/or utilize the area. Map 3, Grouse Lek Locations, shows <br />grouse habitat in the project area. CPW mapping, as well as SCC site - specific surveys has <br />identified I active sage grouse and 13 sharp- tailed grouse leks (8 active) within or immediately <br />adjacent to the proposed 2012 Exploration Project area. Additional leks likely exist in the general <br />vicinity. <br />Peabody Sage Creek has consulted with the CPW regarding potential impacts to grouse habitat in <br />the exploration program area. CPW biologists reviewed the proposed drill sites and do not <br />anticipate any unacceptable impacts to grouse lek sites and or breeding habitat as a result of the <br />exploration activities. However, CPW has recommended an appropriate season for drilling <br />activities at each exploration site to minimize potential impacts to grouse as outlined below: <br />Peabody Sage Creek Project 3 April 2012 <br />