2013-05-23_PERMIT FILE - M2013031

Home Browse Search

Exhibit Page 26 EXHIBIT H - WILDLIFE INFORMATION 1. Wildlife species common in area: HAY CAMP MESA, NE MONTEZUMA COUNTY Elk, deer, coyote, fox, cottontail and jack rabbits, raptors(falcon, eagle), magpie and songbirds (numerous types) on seasonal basis, skunk, bobcat, and numerous species of rodents. No identified prairie dog colonies are located in the area. However, mining operations would not preclude passage of ferrets between any colonies which do exist. Beaver are not identified as common species in the vicinity of the proposed project, according to information from NRCS, USFWS and CDOW. Elk are very commonly seen on the site, and do not appear to be disturbed by mining operations. 2. Threatened and endangered species impacted: NONE ENDANGERED, THREATENED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES IN MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO Common Name Scientific Name Status Site Plants Mancos milk -vetch Astragalus humillimus FE NSH Mesa Verde cactus Sclerocactus mesae - verdae FT NSH Sleeping Ute milk -vetch Astragalas toptipes FC NSH Amphibians Boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas TC, SE NSH Fish Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius FE, ST NSH Razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus FE, SE NSH Birds Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus FT, ST Gunnison sage grouse Centrocercus minimus FC NSH Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis lucida FT, ST Southwestern willow - flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus FE, SE NSH Yellow- billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus occidentalis FC Mammals Black- footed ferret Mustela nigripes FE, SE NSH Canada lynx Lynx Canadensis FT, SE FE = federally endangered, FT = federally threatened, FP = proposed for federal listing; FC = candidate for federal listing; SE = state endangered, ST = state threatened. NSH = no suitable habitat on site The location of the New Hay Camp Pit, as proposed, does not have any existing suitable habitat for any of the above plants, amphibians, or fish, including the sage grouse. The site is sufficiently set back from any live water (by horizontal and vertical distance) to have no significant impact on favored habitat for any species which uses riparian habitat, and the site does not have the vegetation needed for spotted owl habitat. The bald eagle does inhabit the region, but as the site is several hundred feet back and above live water, impact is unlikely. While a potential for ferrets exists in the area, there are no known or likely prairie dog populations in the area that are capable of supporting ferret populations. The proposed activities would not be a significant impact on potential lynx range. Although mining operations will occupy an area of about 44 acres total, the entire area will not be disturbed at once, so that routes for migration will be open. (Wildlife has adapted readily to the mining operations conducted for the past 26 years to the north and east of this location.) Berms will assist in deterring wildlife and livestock from nearing the top of highwalls, and temporary fencing may be used as necessary to reduce potential for livestock and wildlife to graze on areas under reclamation, winter or summer. Traffic speeds will be enforced to reduce potential vehicle-