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

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RULE 2 PERMITS hummingbird, Gambel's quail, Lewis's woodpecker, Lucy's warbler, MacGillivray's warbler, and yellow warbler. However, it is unlikely the vegetation in the drainages is extensive enough to provide breeding habitat for riparian obligates, such as the yellow - billed cuckoo. Raptors, such as long -eared owl, sharp - shinned hawk, and Cooper's hawk have been documented nesting in box elder trees in these drainages. There are numerous stock ponds within the Collom permit expansion area that potentially provide open water habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds; however, due to the lack of suitable cover in the majority of these areas, the ponds are not likely used for nesting. Big Game Big game is abundant in the Danforth Hills and Axial Basin. Aerial surveys for elk and mule deer are conducted annually by CDOW. The results from the most recent surveys are summarized below, in addition to descriptions of seasonal big game habitat within the Collom permit expansion area. Elk - Elk within the Collom permit expansion area are part of the White River herd as defined by CDOW. The total herd population was estimated as 38,000 animals in 2005, and represents the largest elk herd in Colorado (GSGWG 2008). The population of the White River elk herd has grown steadily beginning in the early 1980s, and CDOW has been attempting to reduce the herd size. As a result, the herd exhibited a declining trend from 2001 to 2005, though the population remained well within the management goal of 32,000 to 39,000 animals in 2005 (GSGWG 2008). A five -year average of annual aerial winter counts (January 2004 to January 2008) resulted in a population estimate of approximately 500 elk located specifically in the Collom Gulch area (D.Finley, CDOW, personal communication). This average includes counts from both severe and mild winters, and should not be considered a total count of the elk that winter in the area at any specific time. Elk abundance and distribution in this region can vary dramatically depending on the severity of the winter. Elk seasonal ranges shown on Map 13B (Sheet 1) include winter concentration areas, production areas, and areas that resident elk may use year- round. The 2008 GIS data from CDOW indicate that the Colowyo revised permit area (i.e., existing permit plus Collom expansion) is both summer and winter range for elk (not shown on the map because the entire area is included at the 1:2000 scale). Resident range is located on the west side of the Colowyo revised permit area. Elk production areas are also located in the western portion as well as in a small area in the southern portion of the Colowyo revised permit area. There were no summer concentration areas mapped by CDOW but there are areas of winter concentrations in the northern portion in the Colowyo revised permit area. Seasonal use of the Collom permit expansion area would be dependent on snow levels, which vary from year to year. The larger geographic region from the Danforth Hills to the Axial Basin is considered an elk migration area. Various migration pathways are also shown on Map 13B (Sheet 1). GIS data indicate Highway 13 is considered an elk highway crossing by CDOW. Mining activities in the Collom permit expansion area are not expected to limit habitat due to the relatively small area of impact and the abundance of suitable existing and reclaimed habitat in the surrounding area. Elk are known to heavily use areas of the existing mine that have been reclaimed as grasslands, particularly in the spring. Cedar Creek (2006) noted elk wallows in most of the dense aspen stands in the area. For further detail on elk habitat use and browse use, see the original Colowyo permit document (Volume 1). Mule Deer - Mule deer within the Collom permit expansion area are part of the White River mule deer herd, which is the largest mule deer herd in Colorado. The total herd population was estimated as Collom — Rule 2, Page 82 Revision Date: 9/28/11 Revision No.: PR -03