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RULE 2 - PERMITS <br />were present. This species is common 111 the permit area and the abundance of cliff cavities and <br />• some pine snags provides nesting opportunities for this species (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and <br />Wildlife Information). <br />Other raptor s1weies — During the 2008 baseline stn'vey s. additional raptor species Were <br />dOCUlnented. Including ('ooper's hawk (.4ccipi1cr c'ooj)crii). northern harrier (CJl'cits c1ancits) and <br />bald eagle (Hallac'clio %eltcocel)hahis). One adult Coppers ha\ \k \\as seen flying and hlllltlllg Ill <br />the SW '/, N1: '/, of Section 13 T5N R87\V on multiple occasions. but no nest \\as located. Lone <br />female northern harriers were observed hUlltrllg along the bottonllands and adjacent grasslands <br />associated with Fish Creek. <br />A bald eagle was seen soaring over the woodlands and rocky ridgeline in the SE '/4 SE `/4 of Section <br />10 T5N R87 \V in June of 2008. Further details re�,arding the bald ea�(Tle sighting are discussed <br />under the Special Status Species section. Due to habitat considerations, it is unlikely that the bald <br />eagle \which was documented in the area. nests within the permit area (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and <br />Wildlife Information). <br />Greater Sandhill Crane <br />As part of the monitoring program for the Seneca II and Yoast Mines, ICF .Jones & Stokes surveyed <br />for greater sandhill cranes annually front 1996 to 2007 using a standardized protocol. The PSCM <br />permit area was surveyed in 2008 using the same standardized protocol. "Those surveys included <br />driving the T\wentyrnile County Road as part of a more extensive survey route, and surveying areas <br />where nesting sandhill cranes had been previously documented. If breeding behavior was observed <br />a search was conducted of potential nesting habitat (e.g., marshes. reservoirs, and moist drainages) <br />in order to locate nests (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). <br />Greater sandhill cranes have been documented regularly \within the permit area bet,,veen 2004 and <br />2008. Nesting greater sandhill cranes within the permit area were observed at the small reservoir <br />(Pond 004) in the SW '/4 SE '/4 of Section 12 T5N R87W front 2004 to 2006. and were recorded in <br />close proximity to the reservoir in every year after. The majority of the remaining greater sandhill <br />crane observations have been associated with the Nofster Zeigler Reservoir and the CRP grasslands <br />in the northwest portion of the PSCM permit area. Table 2.04.11 -T5 shows all the greater sandhill <br />crane observations within the PSCM permit area and a one mile perim (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish <br />and Wildlife Information). <br />Other Wildlife Observations <br />All incidental sightings of wildlife on or near the PSCM permit area were recorded during the <br />recent and past baseline and annual monitoring surveys. Sixty -two species of birds, one amphibian <br />species, and 11 mammal species were observed during the 2008 baseline survey periods for the <br />permit area. Bird diversity was highest in the mountain brush habitat (22 species) and grassland <br />habitat (21 species). The most abundant bird species was the cliff swallow (Hirundo p},rrhonota), <br />which tended to occur in large flocks and nesting colonies. Only one amphibian species, the boreal <br />chorus frog (Pseudacris macidata), was recorded within the permit area. Targeted surveys for <br />amphibians would likely result in a higher diversity of these species. <br />Midterm Review 2.04 -164 Revision 04/2013 <br />