Laserfiche WebLink
factor on this species. Their foods during the winter are primarily <br /> dead animals, such as winter killed deer or elk. Consultation with the <br /> U.S.. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species <br /> Act-of 1973 and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 USC 668- <br /> 668d) has been initiated and will be completed prior to authorization of <br /> any action that may affect a listed species or a golden eagle. <br /> The species most impacted by ongoing activities are mule deer and <br /> elk. The entire area around the mine is critical deer and elk winter <br /> range, use of which varies with population levels and snow conditions. <br /> A resident deer population (approximately ten deer per square mile) <br /> utilizes the area yearlong (Dave Kenvin, DOW, personal communication). <br /> These deer make substantial use of arrowleaf balsamroot in the spring <br /> when it is conspicuously available. Most of the deer browse is heavily <br /> utilized and in a-hedged condition, particularly the mountain mahogany, <br /> bitterbrush, . serviceberry, and sagebrush on south-facing slopes. Deer <br /> migrate .into_ the area from the northeast. <br /> f <br /> Elk use is less frequent; however, during the 1978-79 winter <br /> (because of unusually deep snow) elk were seen in the vicinity of the <br /> mine and down into the town of Paonia causing extensive damage to fruit <br /> trees in the valley. Generally elk stay at higher elevations and are <br /> not a problem to landowners (50 to 60 were seen in winter 1977-78 by DOW <br /> personnel ). No significant decrease in these populations has been. noted <br /> that can be directly attributable to the mine activity. <br /> Cultural Resources <br /> Approximately 350 acres of the proposed lease area have undergone a <br /> Class III (100 percent) inventory for cultural resources (Baker 1977). <br /> The remaining acreage was included in a partial inventory where suspect <br /> areas, as defined by information from local informants and topographical <br /> situations with potential for site location, were examined. No cultural <br /> resources were located within the proposed lease (Baker 1977). A <br /> Class III survey will be required on potential impact areas that have <br /> not received previous archeological clearance. <br /> Transportation <br /> Currently, CWI trucks coal from the mine to the loadout facility <br /> via the Stevens Gulch road making approximately 112 loaded trips per <br /> day. Mine employees also use the road for access. The Stevens Gulch <br /> road also receives occasional recreational access use by off-road <br /> vehicles and snowmobilers. Occasional minor conflict occurs between <br /> coal truc ks•and recreational users, primarily during fall hunting <br /> seasons. <br /> CWI has upgraded portions of the Stevens Gulch road and has paved <br /> the portion up to the mine entrance. <br /> lI <br />