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

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RULE 2 PERMITS increase attractiveness to sharp- tailed grouse. For example, in Routt County, numbers of sharp- tailed grouse have increased in areas of mine reclamation due to the use of diverse seed mixtures containing grasses, forbs, and shrubs (GSGWG 2008). GIS data (CDOW 2008) indicate that Columbian sharp- tailed grouse production areas occur in the central and western portion of the Colowyo revised permit area (i.e., existing permit area plus Collom expansion) (Map 15B Sheet 3). Except for the southern tips, most of the Colowyo revised permit area is sharp- tailed grouse winter habitat. Ten Columbian sharp- tailed grouse leks have been documented in the Collom Wildlife Study Area. Five of these leks were active in both 2006 and 2007, two were active only in 2006, one was active only in 2007, and two were inactive in both years (Cedar Creek 2006, 2007). In 2006, abundance at active leks ranged from three sharp- tailed grouse at STLekI (one male, two unknown sex) and STLek2 (two males, one unknown sex) up to 37 at the Burn lek. In 2007, abundance at active leks ranged from five sharp - tailed grouse (five males, no females) at STLek3 up to 14 sharp- tailed grouse (12 males, two females) at the Burn lek. Abundance appeared to fluctuate among years; however, only one site visit was made each year. Therefore, this variation in counts could be due to sampling variation rather than actual changes in abundance. Seven sharp- tailed grouse leks were within the Collom permit expansion area (Table 2.04.11 -18). Leks ST1 and ST2 would be within or near mining disturbance at Little Collom X (Map 15B Sheet 3). These leks were active in 2006 with three grouse observed at each lek; however, neither was active in 2007. Fish With the exception of Wilson Creek, which forms the eastern boundary of the Collom permit expansion area, there are no perennial streams within this boundary. Fish in the area would be limited to Wilson Creek. The CDOW has not classified Wilson Creek for fisheries, but it is expected to contain similar fish species as Good Spring Creek located to the east of the expansion area. Good Spring Creek has been classified by the CDOW as a non - fishery stream. Surface mining of the Collom expansion area may result in minor water depletions from the Yampa River, which would have the potential to impact habitat for endangered fish in the Colorado River Basin. The extent of expected water depletions is described in the following section. As the estimated additional depletion resulting from mining activities in the Collom expansion area is less than 100 acre -feet, initiation of consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would not be needed to determine any necessary mitigation measures. Specific input from CDOW February 15, 2011 letter regarding Greater sage - grouse, Columbian Sharp -tail grouse, Elk and Deer populations in the Collom Expansion Area. Greater sage - grouse (GSG): Currently, the Axial Basin (including the Collom Pit Area) is mapped as core range for sage grouse. Greater sage grouse use a much larger area for their life cycle and will be adversely affected by this action. The birds that are utilizing the established leks on the open ridge tops spend the spring, summer and fall there and migrate to the lower elevations of the basin for winter. Many birds that strut and nest in the basin utilize the open ridge tops for the summer and fall. Therefore, there is significant movement of GSG to and from the open ridge tops located within the permit and disturbance boundary during the spring, summer and fall months. A majority of the birds leave the ridge tops during the winter months and spend that time in the basin. The Collom expansion will encompass 4 mapped sage grouse leks with two of those leks located within the disturbance boundary. The disturbance boundary will physically displace a significant portion of the GSG population a., the traditional summer Collom — Rule 2, Page 85 Revision Date: 9/28/11 Revision No.: PR -03