2012-09-07_PERMIT FILE - M2012018 (2)

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and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid lines were placed over the project map using GIS. The map with the UTM grids was then printed and taken into the field to be used with a hand -held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to allow a systematic survey of the project site by the surveyor walking transects approximately 328 feet (100 m) apart. The general openness of the project site allowed the surveyor to observe at a greater distance and transects did not need to be closer together (e.g. 164 ft — 50 m) to ensure cover of the project site. At all times during the survey the surveyor looked for evidence of wildlife use and any important wildlife resources (e.g. raptor nests) or habitats associated with sensitive species. 4.0 Wildlife 4.1 Wildlife Habitats & Use The project site provides suitable habitat for many common wildlife species including but not limited to mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), American elk (Cervus elaphus nelsonii), mountain lion (Felis concolor), American black bear (Ursus americanus), coyote (Canis latrans), and western prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis). Though there are many trees suitable for nesting by woodland raptor species, better habitat in the form of cliffs is located approximately 0.3 miles east of the project site on the east side of Stone Canyon. The project site is not unique within the greater local landscape and is representative of much of the Front Range foothills in areas that have not been developed. The entire project site is mapped by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as mule deer winter range, critical winter range, and a winter concentration area. No other critical mule deer or other sensitive wildlife species habitat (e.g. elk production area) is mapped within or near the project site. Critical habitats identified as present at the project SITE are defined as follows (NDIS 2012): -Severe Winter Range - That part of the range of a species where 90 percent of the individuals are located when the annual snow pack is at its maximum and /or temperatures are at a minimum in the two worst winters out of ten. The winter of 1983 -84 is a good example of a severe winter. -Winter Concentration Area — That part of the winter range of a species where densities are at least 200% greater than the surrounding winter range density during the same period used to define winter range in the average five winters out of ten. -Winter Range — That part of the overall range of a species where 90 percent of the individuals are located during the average five winters out of ten from the first heavy snowfall to spring green -up, or during a site specific period of winter as defined for each Data Analysis Unit. Though the project site is mapped as a winter concentration area there was no evidence (i.e. signs of heavy herbivory or numerous scat piles) of deer concentrating within the project site. Use of the project site by mule deer is year -round and there likely is heavier use during severe winters. The amount of sensitive mule deer habitat impacted by the proposed permitting of the 25 acre mine is insignificant when compared to the amount of habitat that is available. The loss of the 25 acres of habitat is less than 0.1% of the 5,651,449 acres of mapped winter range within the polygon that the project site is within; less than 0.1% of the 243,231 acres of mapped critical winter range that the project site is within; and less than 0.1% of the 247,762 acres of mapped winter concentration area within the polygon that the project site is within. 3