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TABLE 6 - DESKTOP EVALUATION OF FEDERALLY - LISTED PLANT OCCURRENCE
<br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC, West Elk Mine Refuse Pile Expansion East
<br />Gunnison County, Colorado
<br />January, 2010
<br />Federal Status Definitions:
<br />E: 'Endangered' - A species in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
<br />T. "Threatened" - A species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range
<br />C: "Candidate' - Proposed for addition to the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species list.
<br />State Ranking Definitions:
<br />S1. "Critically Imperiled" - Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation or extinction Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or less than 1,000 remaining individuals.
<br />S2 "Imperiled" - Imperiled because of rarity or because of some factor(s) malong It very vulnerable to extirpation or extinction. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or between 1,000 and 3,000 remaining individuals.
<br />S3, "Vulnerable' - Vulnerable either because rare and uncommon, or found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extfrpation or extinction. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 remaining individuals.
<br />Likelih000d Definitions for Plants (created by Barr Engineering for this study):
<br />Some Ldkelthood: The project site is within the species' range and onsite habitat, substrate, and elevation is suitable for the species The species is thought to be more common and/or occurs in a wider range of habitats
<br />Unlikely: Very little possibility that a population previously undocumented in Gunnison County may occur in the project site Known populations occur in nearby Counties and the habitat/substrate and elevation are substantially appropriate for the species However, due to species rarity, it remains very unlikely that the species would occur within the project site.
<br />Very Unlikely: Either known species populations are not within close regional proximity It e. adjacent or nearby Counties), or the habitat/substrate and/or elevation is largely inappropriate for the species.
<br />No likelihood. The appropriate habitat and /or substrate and elevation does not exist on the project site and known occurrences of the species are not within or adjacent to Gunnison County. It is unreasonable to assume any likelihood for species occurrence onsite
<br />Likelihood of
<br />Federal
<br />State
<br />Scientific Name
<br />Common Name
<br />Onsite
<br />Status
<br />Ranking
<br />Typical Habitat /Substrate /Elevation
<br />Known Distribution in Colorado
<br />Justification for Onsite Likelihood Determination
<br />Reference
<br />Occurrence
<br />Habitat and substrate may be appropriate (Mesa Verde series exists onsite),
<br />Astragalus humi /limns
<br />Mancos milkvetch
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />E
<br />S1
<br />Rocky crevices In Point Lookout Cretaceous sandstone (Mesa Verde
<br />Montezuma County (Most populations occur in New Mexico)
<br />but no known populations occur in or around Gunnison County. Project site
<br />http //v ceniedorplantconservation org/coilection/CP
<br />series). Elev. 5000 -6000 ft.
<br />outside of elevational range of species. Due to rarity, it is unlikely that the
<br />_ViewProfile asp9CPCNum =414
<br />species would occur in the project site.
<br />Astragalus osterhoutii
<br />Kremmling milkvetch
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />E
<br />S1
<br />Shale and siltstone barrens it sagebrush habitat in moderately - sloped
<br />Muddy and Troublesome Creek drainage basins, Grand
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. Substrate and
<br />habitat may be appropriate, but most of project site too low in elevation for
<br />/CP
<br />http / /www centmProfile
<br />clayey soils. Elev. 7400 -7900 ft.
<br />County
<br />species. Species rarity likely precludes existence on project site.
<br />as ?CPCon -461llecbon
<br />_V ewFrofile asp ?cpcNum.4s1
<br />Astragalus torti es
<br />g p
<br />Sleeping Ute milkvetch
<br />p g
<br />No likelihood
<br />C
<br />S1
<br />Mixed desert scrub on lower slopes of ridges and knolls in gravelly
<br />Sleeping Ute Mountain in Montezuma Count
<br />p y
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. No appropriate
<br />habitat or substrate occurs onsite. Elevation of the project site is out of range
<br />p j
<br />http /Iwww cnhp colostate edu/download prgecis rarepla
<br />Mancos Shale soils. Elev. 5400 -5700 ft.
<br />nts PDFABOFBGO him/
<br />for the species.
<br />Eriogonum pe /inophi /um
<br />clay loving wild buckwheat
<br />Unlikely
<br />E
<br />52
<br />Mancos shale badlands and flats in saline mixed desert shrub
<br />Mancos Shale hills In Delta and Montrose Counties
<br />Known populations occur in adjacent counties, but are restricted by habitat.
<br />Nip /Mw centerforplantconservation ofg/collection /cpc
<br />community. Elev. 5200 -6400 ft.
<br />Project site habitat and substrate is generally unsuitable for the species.
<br />wewprohle asp9CPCNum =1773
<br />Penland alpine fen
<br />Alpine tundra in calcareous peat fens in limestone or dolomite. Elev.
<br />Known p No appropriate proximity to project site
<br />populations are not in regional .
<br />lechoNCpc
<br />nttp awww centedorplantsp9CP
<br />Eutrema pen/andii
<br />mustard
<br />No likelihood
<br />T
<br />SS /S2
<br />12,300- 13,100 ft.
<br />Mosquito Range in Park and Summit Counties
<br />habitat or substrate exists on the project site. Elevation of project site far
<br />Nun =1921
<br />viewprofile asp�CPCNum =1921
<br />beneath elevational range of species.
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. Little to no
<br />Gaura neomexicana ssp.
<br />Colorado butterfly plant
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />T
<br />51
<br />Alluvial soils on level or slightly sloping floodplains and high -water table
<br />South Platte River Watershed in Weld County
<br />appropriate habitat or substrate exists on the project site. "Wetland A" of
<br />http) /www centerforpiantconservation org/Collechon/CP
<br />coloradensis
<br />relict streams. Elev. 5000 -6400 ft.
<br />wetland delineation report (Barr 2009) may he suitable, but likely too small to
<br />C_ViewProfile asp ?CPCNum =1997
<br />support a population.
<br />Lesquerella congesta
<br />Dudley Bluffs bladderpod
<br />No likelihood
<br />T
<br />Sl
<br />Exposed white shale barrens (Green River shale formation) within
<br />Piceance Basin in Rio Blanco County
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. No appropriate
<br />habitat or substrate exists on the project site. Species is highly endemic to
<br />www
<br />http // centedorplantconservation org/kxxlectioNCpc
<br />?CPCNum
<br />eroded drainage areas. Elev. 6000 -6700 ft.
<br />one area in one Countv.
<br />viewprofile asp =6371
<br />Pediocactus know /tonii
<br />Knowlton cactus
<br />No likelihood
<br />E
<br />n/a
<br />Gravelly soils formed from tertiary alluvial deposits within sparcely-
<br />vegetated areas in pinyon - juniper woodlands and sagebrush shrublands.
<br />Archuleta County
<br />Not known to occur in the region. Onsite substrate is unsuitable. Extreme
<br />httpl/www is fed us/database/feis/plants/cactus/podknota
<br />Elev. 6800 -6900 ft.
<br />rarity makes the species unlikely to be found onsite
<br />It html
<br />Penstemon debilis
<br />Pensternon
<br />Parachute penstemon
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />C
<br />S1
<br />Steep slopes of Green River Formation shale within arid, sparsely
<br />Roan Plateau in Garfield County
<br />Known populations are within regional proximity (nearby county); habitat is
<br />somewhat appropriate in places. Elevational range of project site is outside of
<br />http / /nativeewsystems org/species/plants/parachute-
<br />habitat. Elev. 7900 -9200 ft.
<br />species range. Onsite presence is unlikely due to rarity and endemism.
<br />penstemon
<br />Penstemon penlandii
<br />Penland beardtongue
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />E
<br />SS
<br />Steep, sparsely vegetated sagebrush badland barrens on Troublesome
<br />Along Troublesome Creek in Grand County
<br />Habitat and substrate may be somewhat suitable for the species, but known
<br />populations are not within regional proximity to the project site. Species is
<br />http / /www centerforplantconservabon org/Collection/CP
<br />?CPCNum
<br />Formation clay - shales. Elev. 7500 -7700 ft
<br />rare[highly rare/highly endemic.
<br />C_ViewProfile asp =7030
<br />Penstemon scariosus van.
<br />White River penstemon
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />C
<br />S1
<br />Sparsely - vegetated mixed desert shrub and pinyon - juniper communities
<br />Along the White River in Rio Blanco County
<br />Habitat and substrate may be somewhat suitable for the species, but known
<br />populations are not within regional proximity to the project site. Species is
<br />http / /www centerforpiantconservatian org/oollectiordcpc-
<br />albifluvis
<br />on Green River Formation shale slopes. Elev. 5000 -7200 ft.
<br />rare/highly rare/highly endemic.
<br />viewprofile.asp ?CPCNum =7051
<br />Phacelia formosula
<br />North Park phacelia
<br />No likelihood
<br />E
<br />SS
<br />Sandy, sparsely - vegetated Coalmont Formation ravine and hillside
<br />North Park in Jackson County
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. No appropriate
<br />http) /w i centerforpiantoonservation org/Collection/CP
<br />slopes. No elevation info
<br />habitat or substrate exists on the project site
<br />C_ViewProfile asp CPCNum =3354
<br />Substrate is potentially appropriate for the species (Wasatch Formation
<br />Phacelia scopulina
<br />DeBeque phacelia
<br />Unlikely
<br />C
<br />S2
<br />Sparsely - vegetated steep, exposed clayey barrens of Wasatch
<br />Garfield and Mesa Counties
<br />occurs onsite) and is within regional proximity (adjacent counties). Habitat is
<br />http / /ww i centerforplantoonseivation org/Collecbon/CP
<br />Formation. Elev. 4600 -6200 ft.
<br />appropriate only in small areas. Elevational range of project site is mostly out
<br />C_VimProfile asp ?CPCNum =3378
<br />of range for the species.
<br />Physaria obcordata
<br />Piceance twinpod
<br />No likelihood
<br />T
<br />51/52
<br />Barren, eroded shale outcrops in multi - mineral oil shale zones. (No
<br />Piceance Basin in Rio Blanco County
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. No appropriate
<br />http J /wwwcentedorplantconservation org/Collecbon/CP
<br />elevation info
<br />habitat or substrate exists on the project site
<br />QVImProfile asp9CPCNum =3447
<br />Species occurs in very close regional proximity to the project site; however,
<br />Sclerocactus glaucus
<br />Uinta Basin hookless
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />T
<br />S3
<br />Mancos shale in gravelly alluvial benches (above floodplain) in desert
<br />Along Green, Colorado, and Gunnison Rivers in Delta,
<br />the habitat arid substrate described do not exist on the project site. Closest
<br />http / /www centerforplantmnservation .org/CoilectioNCP
<br />cactus
<br />scrub. Elev. 3900 - 6600 ft.
<br />Garfield, Mesa, Montrose Counties
<br />appropriate habitat is on alluvial benches of North Fork Gunnison River, north
<br />C_ViewProfile asp ?CPCNum =3883
<br />of the project site.
<br />Sc /erocactus mesae -
<br />Mesa Verde cactus
<br />No likelihood
<br />T
<br />52
<br />Gently - sloping to moderately -steep hilltops and slopes on loamy or
<br />Montezuma County
<br />Known populations are not in regional proximity to project site. No appropriate
<br />habitat or substrate occurs onsite. Elevation of the project site is out of range
<br />http / /www centedorptantwnservation org/collectioNcpc
<br />verdae
<br />gravelly Mancos or Fruitland Formation. Elev. 4000 -5000 ft.
<br />viewprofiie asp ?CPCNum =3884
<br />for the species.
<br />In moist alluvial floodplain silty loam soils of wet meadows, rivers, and
<br />Known population is not in regional proximity to project site. Appropriate
<br />http / /www fws gov /mountain-
<br />Spiranthes diluvialis
<br />Ute ladies' tresses
<br />No likelihood
<br />T
<br />S2
<br />springs within intermontane valleys. (No elevation info)
<br />Larimer, Jefferson, and Boulder Counties
<br />onsite habitat is extremely limited ( "Wetland A" in wetland delineation report,
<br />prairie/ species/ plants/ uteiadiestress /SPDI_Status%20rev
<br />Barr 2009.
<br />ew_Fertig2005 pdf
<br />Federal Status Definitions:
<br />E: 'Endangered' - A species in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
<br />T. "Threatened" - A species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range
<br />C: "Candidate' - Proposed for addition to the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species list.
<br />State Ranking Definitions:
<br />S1. "Critically Imperiled" - Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation or extinction Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or less than 1,000 remaining individuals.
<br />S2 "Imperiled" - Imperiled because of rarity or because of some factor(s) malong It very vulnerable to extirpation or extinction. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or between 1,000 and 3,000 remaining individuals.
<br />S3, "Vulnerable' - Vulnerable either because rare and uncommon, or found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extfrpation or extinction. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 remaining individuals.
<br />Likelih000d Definitions for Plants (created by Barr Engineering for this study):
<br />Some Ldkelthood: The project site is within the species' range and onsite habitat, substrate, and elevation is suitable for the species The species is thought to be more common and/or occurs in a wider range of habitats
<br />Unlikely: Very little possibility that a population previously undocumented in Gunnison County may occur in the project site Known populations occur in nearby Counties and the habitat/substrate and elevation are substantially appropriate for the species However, due to species rarity, it remains very unlikely that the species would occur within the project site.
<br />Very Unlikely: Either known species populations are not within close regional proximity It e. adjacent or nearby Counties), or the habitat/substrate and/or elevation is largely inappropriate for the species.
<br />No likelihood. The appropriate habitat and /or substrate and elevation does not exist on the project site and known occurrences of the species are not within or adjacent to Gunnison County. It is unreasonable to assume any likelihood for species occurrence onsite
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