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would differ from past effects. As such, the Proposed Action would be consistent with continued <br />meeting of the land health standard for special status animals. Due to the temporary nature and <br />diminutive extent of impacts associated with the Proposed Action, the No- Action Alternative <br />would also provide for continued meeting, but would have no measurable effect on elevating the <br />condition or status of land health considerations. <br />SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES <br />Affected Environment: <br />The BLM- sensitive species debris milkvetch (Astragalus detritalis) has the potential to occur in <br />the project area. Debris milkvetch is known to occur on alluvial terraces with cobbles in pinyon - <br />juniper and mixed desert shrub habitats (5,400 -7,200 ft.). Known populations are approximately <br />1 -1.5 miles to the east of the project area and are found on Turley fine sandy loam, Torriorthent- <br />rock outcrop, and rock outcrops, all of which are also found in the project area. No other BLM - <br />sensitive or federally listed species or habitats are known in the project area. The 1997 WRFO <br />RMP /ROD identifies the need to provide for the conservation, protection, and management of <br />unique pant communities and includes a no surface occupancy (NSO) stipulation for known and <br />potential BLM sensitive plants. <br />Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action: <br />Direct and Indirect Effects: Debris milk vetch populations have the potential to be found <br />near a surface drilling location of boreholes for gob degas, nitrogen injection, and mine <br />ventilation shafts. Direct debris milkvetch habitat loss may occur if the surface disturbing <br />activity removes the soil types the species are found to occur on. The surface disturbance may <br />also remove or impact pollinator species or their associated habitat. <br />Cumulative Effects: Ground disturbance may create an opportunity for invasive species <br />to establish and threaten special status plant species habitat. To avoid listing under the <br />Endangered Species Act on this species and to ensure the persistence of these species, it is <br />important to reduce invasions of non - native and exotic plant species. <br />Environmental Consequences of the No Action Alternative: <br />Direct and Indirect Effects: Under this alternative the Proposed Action would not occur <br />and therefore there would be no impacts to special status plant species. <br />Cumulative Effects: Under this alternative the Proposed Action would not occur and <br />therefore there would be no additional impacts to special status plant species. <br />Stipulations to he Applied as Mitigation: <br />1. Prior to any surface disturbing activity, all areas of disturbance shall be surveyed <br />accordance with the WRFO special status plant species survey protocol. <br />2. Surface occupancy is not allowed within known populations of BLM sensitive plants <br />(RMP NSO -09 exception would apply). <br />3. If no exceptions are granted to the NSO, a buffer of up to 100 meters, in addition to the <br />NSO, would be implemented for BLM special status plant species. <br />DOI- BLM -CO- 110 - 2012 - 0023 -EA 51 <br />