2012-10-01_REVISION - M1977310 (10)

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JD -6 Mine Environmental Protection Plan 59 o Soil erosion resulting from the operation has been stabilized; and o A vegetative cover at least equal to that present prior to the disturbance and a plant species composition at least as desirable as that present prior to the disturbance has been established. The reclamation plan is provided in Exhibit E of the JD -6 Mine Permit. 14. WILDLIFE PROTECTION Rule 6.4.21(18) requires the mine operator to describe measures to minimize or prevent harm or damage to wildlife species and habitat, including: • Mitigation measures to ensure that there is no overall net loss of critical or important wildlife habitat consistent with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recommendations, if any; and • Measures to prevent wildlife from coming into contact with designated chemicals, toxic or acid - forming materials or areas with acid mine drainage. 14.1 Wildlife Species The JD -6 project area contains big sagebrush shrubland and pinyon juniper woodland habitats. Big sagebrush shrublands occur in a diverse array of climatic conditions, which include semi -arid, desert habitats and moist, cool, mountainous regions. Sagebrush shrublands are found at elevations around 4,000 to 10,000 ft. within the Colorado Plateau and are a major component of pinyon juniper communities. Pinyon juniper woodlands are found from 4,500 to 9,000 feet and are common in Western Montrose County (Edge Environmental, 2009). The pinyon juniper woodland habitat is located on the north facing slopes of Monogram Mesa. Quarter -acre sized sagebrush parks are interspersed throughout the woodlands habitat. A wildlife survey was performed in 2008 for the nearby proposed Pinon Ridge Mill Site (Kleinfelder, 2009). Although the Pinon Ridge Mill Site primarily occupies the Paradox Valley floor while the JD -6 Mine is located on the southwestern flank of the valley, the proximity of the two projects indicates that some aspects of the 2008 wildlife survey for Pinon Ridge may be applicable to the JD -6 Mine site. The Kleinfelder (2009) wildlife survey reported that species which occupy the pifion-juniper habitat and big sagebrush shrublands may include occasional elk, deer, bear, coyote, fox, etc. These species prefer habitats that provide seasonal food, cover, and water (Kleinfelder, 2009). Avian species occupy habitats that provide nesting and fledging habits and adjacent feeding areas. Raptors (eagles, hawks, and owls) prefer habitats that provide prey species for food and other habitats for nesting. No waterfowl are expected to occur due to the lack of perennial water or preferred nesting habitat along the bluffs. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW, 2011) indicated that small numbers of mule deer and elk are in the area throughout the year, and the mine lies within mapped winter range for mule deer and severe winter range for elk. All of Montrose County is located within the Principal Western Route of the Pacific Flyway migratory bird route. The Pacific Flyway is the geographic area extending west of the continental divide to the Pacific Ocean. Most migratory species utilize waterways and water courses as travel corridors. The JD -6 site is located on the southwestern flank above the valley floor of the Paradox Basin, several miles from the Dolores River and Paradox Creek. Therefore, the isolated occurrences of transitory species (i.e. terrestrial wildlife, eagles, hawks, owls, shorebirds, waterfowl and near - arctic birds) that migrate along the local water courses are not expected to occupy the JD -6 Mine site. 4148A.120927 Whetstone Associates •