2012-09-06_REVISION - M2008070 (21)

Home Browse Search

Common Name Scientific Name Status* Vegetation Community Grassland / Riparian Sagebrush Yellow - billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus CDT X Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri BCC X X Virginia's Warbler Vermivora virginiae BCC X X Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus CSC X X Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus CSC X X Green - tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus CSC X Greater Sage- Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus CSC / BLM X Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos BCC X X Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus BCC X X Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus CSC X X Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus BCC / CSC X X Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis BLM X X Over 90% of the Phase 2 site slated for disturbance is heavily - grazed upland pasture dominated by cheatgrass. Most of the native sagebrush community originally found on this bench has been replaced by non - native grassland, and only a few small patches of remnant sagebrush stands remain on the site. The surrounding area to the south is dominated by pinyon juniper forest, but none of this area will be impacted by gravel pit operations and a significant expanse of the grassland pasture will remain as a buffer between the gravel pit and the edge of the forested zone (800 -2000 feet). The area to the north, below the bluff, is comprised of riparian vegetation along the White River, but again this zone will not be impacted by gravel operations. All these vegetation communities provide foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of migratory bird species at various times of year, though primarily in early summer through fall. Table 2: Sensitive bird species that may occur on the project area. * BCC = Federal Bird of Conservatin Concern; CDT = Candidate for Listing under ESA; CSC = CDOW Species of Concern; BLM = Colorado Sensitive Species Neo- Tropical / Passerine Species: The Brewer's Sparrow, Virginia Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow and Green - Tailed Towhee are collectively known as Neo- Tropical migrants or passerine species. Collectively they are the group of songbirds that represent over 50% of North American bird species. These species migrate north to breed in the United States and Canada in the spring, then migrate south in the fall to winter in tropical regions of Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since they are all similarly classified and follow much the same annual cycle, they will be addressed collectively in this analysis. Table 3 shows typical habitat types selected by each species and breeding records for those species that may occur on or near the project area. Environmental Solutions, Inc. Page 14 of 30 March 09