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Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk See the raptor discussion in the Terrestrial Wildlife Section for these BLM- sensitive raptors. Greater Sage- Grouse As late as the mid to late- 1980s, small numbers of sage - grouse made year -round use of the lower Red Wash drainage, but sage - grouse are now either absent or relegated to sporadic, low- density use during the winter. Nesting, brood - rearing, and general summer and fall use of ranges encompassed by the lease tract was formerly associated with the one or two leks located on Hatch Flat, between 0.8 and 1.7 miles east of the lease boundary. There has been no documented activity at these leks since 1981 (Hatch Flat high male count = 13). Another historic lek (inactive prior to 1977) was located about 2 miles north of the lease along Highway 40, but birds associated with this lek likely remained north of Coal Ridge based on distribution of habitat and geographical barriers. At present, the nearest active sage - grouse lek is more than 12 miles east of the lease tract. Declining bird use and eventual extirpation appears to have been associated with increasing prevalence of cheatgrass in these shrubland understories. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has categorized sage - grouse habitat influenced by mine activities and habitat encompassed in the proposed lease as sage - grouse general habitat (CPW). Other BLM- Sensitive Animals There are no known water bodies within the lease tract that are sufficiently persistent (minimum 5 weeks) to serve as reliable habitat for Great Basin spadefoot toad reproduction. There are no habitats potentially influenced by lease development that are suitable for occupation by northern leopard frog. Three BLM- sensitive bats, including the Townsend's big -eared bat, spotted bat, and fringed myotis, inhabit the general project region. Based on the bats' ability to forage 10 miles or more from roosts and the lack of habitat capable of supporting concentrated prey (e.g., riparian systems), it remains possible that the lease tract may support dispersed and opportunistic foraging activity. With the exception of mature juniper trees or rock outcrops which may provide for transient diurnal roosting for a small number of male or non - reproductive bats during the summer, there is no known structural substrate suitable for hibernacula or maternity roosts within 2 -3 miles of the proposed lease tract boundaries. See the discussion in the Migratory Birds Section for the BLM- sensitive Brewer's sparrow. Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action: Direct and Indirect Effects: Endangered Colorado River Fishes and BLM- Sensitive Fishes Of The White River Water use attributable to mineral development represents flow depletions from the upper Colorado River system and is an influence that has been determined by the FWS to jeopardize the continued existence of the pikeminnow and three additional downstream species of endangered river fishes. Beginning in 1981, there have been several Section 7 consultations initiated by the Office of Surface Mining and BLM that have addressed water depleting activities associated with the original Moon Lake Power Project (i.e., generation facilities, coal mine, railroad, load -out and conveyor facilities, and electric transmission facilities) and its subsequent modifications. In each case, the Biological Opinions determined that, given the application of DOI- BLM -CO- 110- 2012- 0023 -EA 46