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2.4.2.2 Greater Sandhill Crane <br />The greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), a species on Colorado's "Special Concern" list, is known to <br />use the Big Bottom area along the Yampa River for nesting and as staging and feeding areas (Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife, 1978; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1978). Through 2012, this species has <br />infrequently used the reclaimed areas within the mine plan area for feeding. This species is widely <br />distributed in Routt and Moffat counties, primarily in agricultural and wetland areas. Map M20 illustrates <br />greater sandhill crane nesting and staging areas. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife (1978) considered the area within Big Bottom as essential habitat to <br />sandhill cranes and concluded that all land within one -half mile of the Yampa River from the Highway 13 <br />bridge to two miles downstream be considered essential habitat. Trapper's mine plan area is located <br />approximately three miles southeast of the area considered essential habitat. As mining activities are not <br />within close proximity of essential habitat, no effects on the greater sandhill crane population are likely to <br />occur. <br />2.4.2.3 Peregrine Falcon <br />The peregrine falcon (Falco oerearinus) was previously a federally listed endangered species and is a <br />possible migrant through the mine plan area although, through 2012, there have been no known sightings. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife (1978) considered the closest essential habitat to be in the Dinosaur <br />National Monument area, approximately ninety miles west of the mine. No known nesting sites are <br />present within or adjacent to the mine plan area. There were no sightings of this species during a raptor <br />nesting survey of the area conducted in May, 1980 (Appendix E). Therefore, mining is unlikely to have an <br />impact upon this species. <br />2 -142 <br />