2012-09-06_REVISION - M2008070 (21)

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❑ Interim reclamation will occur in the form of planting drought- tolerant native seed mixtures on the stockpiles and exposed cut surfaces. ❑ Any lighting necessary at the WRC pit will be shaded based on County preferences, OSHA requirements and industry standards. All lighting will be downcast to minimize affects to the viewshed. 3.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES — Mammals, Threatened, Endangered & Sensitive Species, Birds, Aquatic Species & Habitat and Vegetation 3.4.1 Mammals Affected Environment: The Phase 2 pit site is located on a broad upland bench that is used primarily by big game as winter range. The access road also traverses the interface between upland and riparian habitats paralleling the White River. The site is mapped by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) as winter range, severe winter range and a winter concentration area for mule deer. Severe winter range is classified as critical habitat by the CDOW. The area is also mapped as winter range and a winter concentration area for elk. However, due to years of heavy livestock grazing, the upland bench in question has become dominated by cheatgrass, an invasive, non - native species. The site contains very few native grass and forb components, and almost no shrub community present. A healthy shrub community is critical for an area to serve any significant functional capacity as winter range for big game species as it is the sturdy shrub forage type that can stand up under heavy snows and remain available to the animals for food. Given the seriously degraded range condition of the site, and the clear lack of native shrub communities, the site is obviously compromised and providing a very low- functioning capability as winter range for either species. There is also a small Great blue heron rookery (3 -9 nesting pairs) located on private land approximately 0.7 miles upstream of the project area. The rookery is located in a cottonwood stand amid the riparian corridor along the White River. Numerous other non - game species utilize the native shrub and woodland habitats in the region, but these habitat types are found extensively throughout the region, and as noted, the native shrub habitat on the Phase 2 site itself is already badly degraded. Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action: The riparian corridor along the White River will not be directly impacted by Phase 2 operations, though traffic on the access road which parallels this corridor could discourage big game use within 100 meters of the road, and potentially cause disruptions to wildlife movements from the corridor to adjacent uplands. However, since a similar corridor exists in the form of Hwy 64, which carries far more traffic at higher speeds than the private access drive could ever accommodate, it can be argued that the pit access will be a very minor, though cumulative, impact to local wildlife movements. Big game species have been Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 10 of 30 March 09