TABLE 7 - DESKTOP EVALUATION OF STATE AND FEDERALLY - LISTED WILDLIFE 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 Status Definitions
<br />SE., 'State Endangered"
<br />ST.., "State Threatened"
<br />SC: "State Species of Special Concern"
<br />Ukelih000d Definitions for Wildlife (created by Barr Engineering for this study).
<br />Some Likelihood. The project site is within the species' range and onsite habitat 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 individuals may occur in the project site. Known populations occur in Gunnison County and the habitat and elevation are substantially appropriate for the species. However, due to species rarity, it remains very unlikely that it would occur within the project site.
<br />Very Unlikely: Either known species populations are not identified to occur within Gunnison County and /or the habitat and /or elevation is largely inappropriate for the species.
<br />No likelihood: The appropriate habitat and/or 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 />Scientific Name
<br />Common Name
<br />Likelihood of
<br />Onsite
<br />Federal
<br />State
<br />Typical Habitat
<br />Known Distribution in Colorado
<br />Justification for Onsite Likelihood Determination
<br />Reference
<br />Occurrence
<br />Status
<br />Status
<br />c
<br />o
<br />Bufo boreal boreas
<br />Boreal Toad
<br />No Likelihood
<br />Na
<br />SE
<br />Alpine- boreal herbaceous wetlands and meadows and surrounding
<br />Western half of Colorado, with observations documented in
<br />Project site does notsupport alpine - boreal habitat.
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<br />a
<br />wooded uplands.
<br />Gunnison County
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<br />E
<br />Rana pipiens
<br />Northern Leopard Frog
<br />Some Likelihood
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />Marshes and perennial pools and streams. Elev. 3500 - 11,000 ft.
<br />Throughout Colorado, excluding southeastern and south-
<br />One northern leopard frog was observed in a shallow pool in Wetland B while
<br />httpJ /ndis nrel colostate edwwiididespx aspoSpCode =020
<br />a
<br />central parts of the State.
<br />performing wetland delineation (Barr 2009).
<br />191 AND httpJ /wow natureserve org/explorer
<br />httpJAWdlife state co usNOddhfeSpecies/SpeaesOfConcer
<br />Athene cuniculana
<br />Western Burrowing wl
<br />9
<br />No Likelihood
<br />Na
<br />ST
<br />Plains, prairies, deserts. Commensal with prairie dogs.
<br />P P 9
<br />Scattered statewide, but main) eastern Colorado.
<br />Y
<br />Steep rock habitat is inappropriate fors ecies
<br />P Y P
<br />el colostate v ulco an m AND
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<br />9
<br />Nest sites in cliffs and rock outcrops or man -made utility structures
<br />Throughout entire state of Colorado, but mainly eastern
<br />hilpJ/wildlde state w.us/NR/rdoniyresiF4F6CE3B-2580-
<br />Buteo regalis
<br />Ferruginous Hawk
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />surrounded by flat or rolling grass and shrubland plains; strongly prefer
<br />plains. Appearance in western Rockies is rare
<br />Lack of nesting sites and level foraging ground; limited prey base.
<br />4DFA- 91`08 -11 C46261127AF 10 /appentinf pdf
<br />close proximity to prairie dog populations.
<br />Centrocercus minimus
<br />Gunnison Sage Grouse
<br />Unlikely
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />Flat, broad grasslands and prairies along with sagebrush and similar low
<br />Southwest quarter of the state, including the Gunnison
<br />Sagebrush and similar habitat 1s not available onsite; terrain Is too steep.
<br />httpJ/wildiife state cc usildIdeSpecies/ProfilesBirds/Gun
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<br />shrub habitat. Sagebrush an important food source.
<br />Basin
<br />him
<br />Charadnus alexandrinus
<br />Western Snowy Plover
<br />No Likelihood
<br />T
<br />SC
<br />Sandy shorelines and beaches of oceans, lakes, and rivers; barren alkali
<br />Central and eastern Colorado.
<br />Not known to occur in the Rockies; no suitable habitat onsite.
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<br />nivosus
<br />flats.
<br />Coccyzus americans
<br />Western Yellow- billed
<br />Unlikely
<br />C
<br />Na
<br />Open woodlands, preferably deciduous riparian woodlands, with dense
<br />Eastern half of Colorado and westernmost edge of
<br />Habitat structure is reasonably nest but individuals would likely appropriate, appp , y
<br />nearer to North Fork Gunnison River. Gunnison County is largely outside of
<br />htgll/www is fed us/ r2/ projects /scpJassessments/yellowbili
<br />Cuckoo
<br />understory.
<br />Colorado, Including near the Gunnison River.
<br />species distribution range.
<br />edcuckw pdf
<br />Southwestern Willow
<br />Habitat structure 1s reasonably appropriate, but Individuals would likely nest
<br />htipJAw fs fed us /rm/pubshmrs /rmrsytr060_00
<br />Empidonax traillii extimus
<br />Flycatcher
<br />Unlikely
<br />LE
<br />SE
<br />Deciduous riparian woodland habitats along streams and rivers.
<br />Southwestern Colorado, including in the Gunnison Basin.
<br />nearer to North Fork Gunnison River. Gunnison County is largely outside of
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<br />m
<br />species distribution range.
<br />Falco peregnnus anatum
<br />American Peregrine Falcon
<br />g
<br />Unlike) Y
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />Nest sites In cliffs and rock outcrops surrounded by flat or rolling grass
<br />Western half of Colorado.
<br />Lack of suitable nesting ites.
<br />g
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<br />and shrubland lain
<br />grineFalcon him
<br />Grus americana
<br />Whooping Crane
<br />No Likelihood
<br />LE
<br />SE
<br />Nesting in marshes. Foraging in marshes, mudflats, and short- stature
<br />CDOW has not documented the species In Colorado since
<br />Lack of habitat and species rarity.
<br />htlpJAmIdlde.state co usnvildldeSpeces/PmfilesBirdsNV
<br />wet meadows and grasslands.
<br />2002. Presumably extremes rare.
<br />opingCrane.htrn
<br />The species is primarily a seasonal migrant through Colorado, though some
<br />hitpl/wildiife state cc usAvildldeSpecies /Prohles/&rds/San
<br />Grus canadensis tab/da
<br />Greater Sandhill Crane
<br />No Likelihood
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />Nesting in marshes. Foraging in marshes, mudflats, and short- stature
<br />Northwestern Colorado for nesting; throughout State as
<br />residency and Westin is noted No suitable stop-over, over, nestln , or foraging
<br />y g g
<br />dhillCram him AND
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<br />wet meadows and grasslands.
<br />seasonal migrants,
<br />habitat onsite.
<br />htmadist
<br />hapWridis nrel colosta te.eduNmldldespx.asp7SpCode =040
<br />Haliaeetus /eucocephalus
<br />Bald Eagle
<br />Very Unlikely
<br />n/a
<br />ST
<br />Nesting in large super - canopy trees within proximity to large rivers,
<br />Throughout state, mainly for overwintering. Nesting Is very
<br />Potential nesting sites occurr onsite but there are no large nearby
<br />231 AND
<br />lakes, or stocked reservoirs.
<br />rare in Colorado.
<br />waterbodies. North Fork Gunnison River likely too small to support prey base.
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<br />eagle him
<br />Numenius americans
<br />Long - billed Curlew
<br />No Likelihood
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />Short grassland prairies and Intermontane grassland valleys In proximity
<br />Southeastern Colorado
<br />Outside of species range; no suitable habitat onsite.
<br />httpmA nmpartnersinflghtorgnongbilledcunew .hlml
<br />to water.
<br />Stema anhllarum
<br />Least Tern
<br />No Likelihood
<br />E
<br />SE
<br />Beaches, lakeshores, and rfverine sandbars.
<br />Southeastern Colorado
<br />No suitable habitat onsite; project site is out of range.
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<br />stTern him
<br />Corynorhinus townsendii
<br />Semi -desert shrubland, pinon - juniper woodlands, open montane forests.
<br />Southwestern two- thirds of the State. NatureServe
<br />The absence of suitable roosting habitat is the main limiting factor, assuming
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<br />pa/lescens
<br />Townsend's Big Eared Bat
<br />Unlikely
<br />Na
<br />SC
<br />Uses abandoned mine shafts, caves, and tree bark for night roosting.
<br />suggests species may have become extirpated in Gunnison
<br />abandoned mine shafts have been sealed.
<br />pwww.
<br />064 AND h f! /naturese ve.org explorer
<br />Species forages at forest and shrub edges
<br />County, but CDOW indicates species presence.
<br />Some CDOW and CNHP sources indicate presence in the
<br />If wolverines occur at all In Gunnison County, the project site is suboptimal for
<br />Areas of dense forest in higher elevations approaching boreal forest
<br />entire western half of the state, including Gunnison County ;
<br />the species. ft would likely be secondary habitat or used transientially. ft is not
<br />htlpJAvildlde state co usnvddldeSpaciestSpecissofconcer
<br />Gulo Gulo
<br />Wolverine
<br />Unlikely
<br />Na
<br />SE
<br />conditions.
<br />other CDOW sources do not recognize the presence of
<br />reasonable to assume that wolverines have established territory within the
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<br />wolverine in the state. GAP lists the species as "Vagrant" In
<br />project site.
<br />y
<br />Gunnison County
<br />m
<br />E
<br />Some CDOW and CNHP sources indicate presence In
<br />If lynx occur at all in Gunnison County, the project site is suboptimal for the
<br />E
<br />0
<br />Lynx canadens/s
<br />Canada Lynx
<br />Unlikely
<br />T
<br />SE
<br />Areas of dense coniferous forest in higher elevations approaching boreal
<br />Colorado, Including Gunnison County; other CDOW
<br />sources do not recognize the presence of lynx in the state,
<br />species. ft would likely be secondary habitat or used transientially. It is not
<br />httpJ /ndm nrel colostate edO Idldespz asp ?SpCode =051
<br />forest conditions.
<br />reasonable to assume that lynx have established territory within the project
<br />except for small, isolated areas. GAP lists the species as
<br />site.
<br />"Vagrant" in Gunnison County.
<br />Some CDOW and CNHP sources Indicate presence in
<br />Mustela nigdpes
<br />Black- footed Ferret
<br />No Likelihood
<br />E
<br />SE
<br />Broad grassland prairies and arid shrublands; strongly commensal with
<br />Colorado, including Gunnison County; other CDOW
<br />The steep, rocky habitat on the project site is not suitable for black- footed
<br />httpJ/ndis nrel colostate edu/vnldIifespxasp7SpCode -05o
<br />prairie dog communities.
<br />sources do not recognize the presence of black- footed
<br />ferret. Prairie dog prey base not present onsite.
<br />ferret in the state.
<br />Generalist in both habitat and elevation. Can occur in grasslands and
<br />nigpJ /ndis.nrel colostate edw ldidespxasp7SpCode =oso
<br />Thomomys talpoides macrotls
<br />Northern Pocket Gopher
<br />Some Likelihood
<br />Na
<br />a
<br />SC
<br />pastures at low elevations, semi -desert shrubs, and into boreal tundra In
<br />Throughout state, except easternmost Counties.
<br />The habitat and elevation at the project site Is appropriate for the species.
<br />047
<br />high elevations. Mainly occurring above 5000 ft elevation.
<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 Status Definitions
<br />SE., 'State Endangered"
<br />ST.., "State Threatened"
<br />SC: "State Species of Special Concern"
<br />Ukelih000d Definitions for Wildlife (created by Barr Engineering for this study).
<br />Some Likelihood. The project site is within the species' range and onsite habitat 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 individuals may occur in the project site. Known populations occur in Gunnison County and the habitat and elevation are substantially appropriate for the species. However, due to species rarity, it remains very unlikely that it would occur within the project site.
<br />Very Unlikely: Either known species populations are not identified to occur within Gunnison County and /or the habitat and /or elevation is largely inappropriate for the species.
<br />No likelihood: The appropriate habitat and/or 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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