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Finding on the Public Land Health Standard #4 for Special Status Species: By following the mitigation measures, the Proposed and No- Action Alternatives are not expected to affect populations or habitats of plants associated with the Endangered Species Act or BLM- sensitive species and, as such, should have no influence on the status of applicable Land Health Standards. MIGRATORY BIRDS Affected Environment: Approximately 30 percent of the lease tract is composed of a complex interspersion of Utah juniper ridgelines and big sagebrush /greasewood valleys. The remaining 70 percent of the lease tract is composed of rolling Wyoming and basin big sagebrush and greasewood shrublands intersected regularly by deeply incised ephemeral drainages. Consistent with the vegetation communities comprising the lease tract, migratory birds nesting on the lease tract are associated with lower elevation juniper- dominated woodlands and arid big sagebrush shrublands. Avian communities in these habitats are broadly represented by species that possess special status (BLM - sensitive species list) or merit heightened attention (FWS Birds of Conservation Concern) (see following Table 13). Table 13. Special Status Birds Nesting In Or Near Coal Lease Tract 'Bird Conservation Region 16 (Southern Rockies /Colorado Plateau) 2 historic 3Endangered Species Act Brewer's sparrow, a BLM- sensitive species, is common throughout the lease tract wherever sagebrush habitat exists. This species typically returns in late -April and May and begins nesting in earnest by late May. Young are fledged by mid to late July. Although local bird abundance has not been established, based on ongoing breeding bird surveys (point -count method), these birds nest at densities no less than 1 pair per 10 acres. Pinyon jay flocks wander widely across these lower elevation woodlands, but no nesting colonies have ever been identified. These birds nest very early in the spring (March and April) and birds that experience nest failures respond with aggressive and persistent renesting attempts. Juniper titmice are widely distributed at low densities across woodlands that offer suitable cavity sites. Typically early nesters (beginning in May), these birds are thought to nest at densities of about 1 pair per 40 acres of juniper - dominated woodland. Gray vireo are relatively localized in the WRFO and are best associated with low elevation ( <6,300 feet) juniper woodland -black sagebrush communities. Although occupation of woodland stands north of the White River is more sporadic, it is probable that the lease tract supports one to three dozen pairs of vireo. DOI- BLM -CO- 110- 2012- 0023 -EA 52 FWS BCC' BLM Sensitive Colorado Threatened ESA'-listed Brewer's sparrow X X ferruginous hawk X X burrowing owl X X X gray vireo X pinyonjay X juniper titmouse X greater sage- grouse 2 X candidate golden eagle X 'Bird Conservation Region 16 (Southern Rockies /Colorado Plateau) 2 historic 3Endangered Species Act Brewer's sparrow, a BLM- sensitive species, is common throughout the lease tract wherever sagebrush habitat exists. This species typically returns in late -April and May and begins nesting in earnest by late May. Young are fledged by mid to late July. Although local bird abundance has not been established, based on ongoing breeding bird surveys (point -count method), these birds nest at densities no less than 1 pair per 10 acres. Pinyon jay flocks wander widely across these lower elevation woodlands, but no nesting colonies have ever been identified. These birds nest very early in the spring (March and April) and birds that experience nest failures respond with aggressive and persistent renesting attempts. Juniper titmice are widely distributed at low densities across woodlands that offer suitable cavity sites. Typically early nesters (beginning in May), these birds are thought to nest at densities of about 1 pair per 40 acres of juniper - dominated woodland. Gray vireo are relatively localized in the WRFO and are best associated with low elevation ( <6,300 feet) juniper woodland -black sagebrush communities. Although occupation of woodland stands north of the White River is more sporadic, it is probable that the lease tract supports one to three dozen pairs of vireo. DOI- BLM -CO- 110- 2012- 0023 -EA 52