2013-04-10_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (5)

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RULE 2 PERMITS The Cedar Creek surveys focused on species of high interest, and included inventories and monitoring of raptor nests, greater sage - grouse leks, and Columbian sharp- tailed grouse leks. The Wildlife Study Area used by Cedar Creek includes the Collom permit expansion area plus a 2 -mile buffer. This area extends from the Axial Basin in the north into the Danforth Hills to the south, with the eastern boundary falling between Wilson Creek and Good Spring Creek, and the western boundary reaching Red Littleton Canyon and Morgan Gulch. As a result of their review of the Collom Expansion Area Package, CDOW drafted a letter on February 15, 2011 and provided input regarding the anticipated impact to the Greater sage - grouse, Columbian Sharp -tail grouse, Elk and Deer populations in this area. This information can be found at the end of this section. Habitat Types and Associated Wildlife Species Approximately 75 percent of the Collom Vegetation Study Area is composed of two dominant shrubland communities: sagebrush and mountain shrub (Cedar Creek 2006). Other common habitat types include aspen woodland, grassland, juniper scrub, and bottomland types found in drainages and basins. Minor habitat types that encompass 0.5 percent or less of the Vegetation Study Area include disturbed areas, cultivated land, improved pasture, and wetland. There are many generalist species that may use any of the habitat types within the Collom permit expansion area. These include mammalian predators, such as coyote and red fox, and prey species such as ermine, deer mouse, least chipmunk, long - tailed weasel, desert cottontail, mountain cottontail, porcupine, and striped skunk. The western small- footed myotis may also occur in any of the habitat types in the Collom permit expansion area. Generalist avian species include red - tailed hawk and dusky flycatcher. Sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, and midget faded rattlesnake may occur in sagebrush, grasslands, and pinyon juniper types. In addition to these generalist species, there are other wildlife species that are predominantly associated with a single habitat type. The following paragraphs discuss potential for species' occurrences within specific habitat types in the Collom expansion area. This assessment primarily focused on birds and mammals of greatest conservation need identified in the Colorado Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and Wildlife Action Plans (CWCS/WAP), and on priority bird species identified by Colorado Partners in Flight (PIF). The sagebrush habitat type supports various species, including species that are sagebrush obligates. In addition to the CWCS /WAP and PIF plans, the Colorado Sagebrush Conservation Assessment and Strategy document was reviewed for additional species known to occur in sagebrush shrublands. Avian species that use sagebrush and occur (or may occur) in the Collom expansion area include songbirds (Brewer's sparrow, brown- headed cowbird, chipping sparrow, horned lark, lark sparrow, loggerhead shrike, mountain bluebird, sage sparrow, sage thrasher) and upland game birds (Columbian sharp- tailed grouse, greater sage - grouse, mourning dove). Sagebrush also provides potential foraging habitat for raptors, such as golden eagle, great horned owl, northern harrier, rough - legged hawk (winter), Swainson's hawk, and turkey vulture. Known or possible mammals in this habitat type include American badger, Merriam's shrew, sagebrush vole, white - tailed jackrabbit, golden - mantled ground squirrel, northern pocket gopher, and white - tailed prairie dog. In addition, sagebrush provides important winter habitat for elk and mule deer. Pronghorn antelope also use sagebrush, and CDOW has delineated pronghorn habitat just to the north of the Collom permit expansion area, in the lower elevations of the Axial Basin. Pronghorn have also been observed within the Colowyo existing permit area. Collom — Rule 2, Page 80 Revision Date: 9/28/11 Revision No.: PR -03