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abundant or widespread than was previously believed, and/or those that are not subject to any <br />identifiable threat." <br />Two species have no Federal status specified (Eastwood desert- parsley and Little penstemon). <br />All of the remaining species have either a Sensitive designation on Bureau of Land Management <br />(BLM) and Forest Service (FS) lands. On FS lands, the Sensitive designation means that these <br />are plant species that have "identified by the Regional Forester for which the population viability <br />is a concern as evidenced by: a. Significant current or predicted trends in population numbers or <br />density" and/or "significant current or predicted downward trends in habitat capability that <br />would reduce a species' existing distribution." The Sensitive designation on BLM lands means <br />that these plants are "those species found on public lands, designated by a State Director that <br />could easily become endangered or extinct in a State. The protection provided by these sensitive <br />species is the same as that provided for C2 candidate species. <br />The published habitat descriptions and map locations as found in the Colorado Rare Plant Field <br />Guide addresses the potential occurrence of each of the 16 species of potential Rare or <br />Endangered Plants which could potentially occur on the proposed NHN Mine permit area are <br />addressed in the following discussion. <br />Southern maiden -hair fern. This species is reported to occur in habitats consisting of "dripping <br />cliffs and seeps, especially on sandstone or calcareous rocks or in highly mineralized soil." <br />According to the distribution maps, this species only occurs in Montrose County in the extreme <br />northwest corner of the county. Given the total absence of these conditions on the proposed <br />NHN Mine permit area, it is impossible for this plant to occur on this site. <br />Eastwood desert - parsley. This species occurs in habitats consisting of "pinyon juniper <br />woodlands in sandy soils. Elev. 4600 -7000 ft." According to the distribution maps, this species <br />only occurs in Montrose County in the extreme north - central portion of the county <br />approximately 45 miles to the north - northeast of Nucla. Given the total absence of these <br />conditions and the fact that there are no Pinyon trees growing on the highly disturbed sites on the <br />proposed NHN Mine permit area, it is essentially impossible for this plant to occur on this site. <br />Grand Junction milkvetch. This species is reported to "grow on the Chinle and Morrison <br />Formations, with pinyon juniper and sagebrush. Elev. 4800 -6200 ft." According to the <br />distribution maps, this species only occurs in Montrose County in the extreme northwest corner <br />of the county approximately 25 -30 miles to the west - northwest. Given the total absence of either <br />the Chinle or Morrison formations in the vicinity of the proposed NHN Mine permit area, it is <br />essentially impossible for this plant to occur on this site. <br />Naturita milkvetch. This species occupies "sandstone mesas, ledges, crevices and slopes in <br />pinyon juniper woodlands. Elev. 5000 -7000 ft." According to the distribution maps, this species <br />only occurs a few miles to the west of the proposed project area. Given the total absence of <br />Section 2.04.10 Page 26 November 2011 <br />