2012-10-01_REVISION - M1977310 (10)

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JD -6 Mine Environmental Protection Plan 60 14.2 Federally Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species The following federally threatened, endangered, and candidate species lists and information were compiled using data from the USFWS Endangered Species Program (2012), the Kleinfelder (2009) wildlife survey at the proposed Pinon Ridge Mill, and the Biological Resources Report for the JD -8 Mine Expansion in Montrose County, Colorado (ERO, 2012). The JD -8 Mine is located approximately two miles from the JD -6 project area on the north- facing slope of Monogram Mesa. The JD -8 project area includes big sagebrush shrublands, pinyon juniper woodland, and short grass habitats. The proposed Pinon Ridge Mill is located approximately three miles from the JD -6 site in the Colorado Plateau Ecoregion. It includes pinyon juniper woodland, big sagebrush shrublands, steppe, and short grass habitats (Kleinfelder, 2009). These two sites contain habitats much like the JD -6 project area. There is no information to indicate that any federally recognized candidate, threatened, or endangered species has been found year -round in the vicinity of the JD -6 Mine. According to ERO Resources Corporation's Biological Resources Report (2012) and Kleinfelder's wildlife survey (2009), no potential habitat for any federally listed or candidate species were observed on either the JD -8 Mine or Pinon Ridge Mill Site. The Gunnison sage grouse, Gunnison's prairie dog, North American wolverine, and the western yellow - billed cuckoo are listed as a candidate species found in Montrose County. There was no suitable habitat for any of these species observed near the site or any sign of historic activity during either of the field surveys. Table 32 lists these federal candidate species. The Mexican spotted owl, greenback cutthroat trout, Canada lynx, and are federally threatened species which are known to occur in Montrose County. These species were not observed and there was no suitable habitat observed in the area. The black- footed ferret is a federally endangered species known to occur in Montrose County. No suitable habitat was observed and the black- footed ferret has not been spotted in either of the field surveys. Table 32 lists these federal threatened and endangered species. 4148A.120927 Whetstone Associates