2013-07-01_PERMIT FILE - X201322801 (3)

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BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA remove habitat permanently from the landscape, but will remove it in the short and long term, certainly within lifetimes of both lynx and their primary prey. Lease stipulations will mitigate impacts due to creation of roads and pads within the area, winter access, and vegetative changes (FEIS, page 129) (USFS, 2012a). If the proposed action is implemented, 30 acres of suitable habitat could be directly lost through creation of roads and drill pads within the LAU (0.1 %). Disturbance to denning or foraging is possible if lynx are present in the area (USFWS, 2008). However, the exploration area is at lower elevation than denning has occurred in Colorado, there is abundant lynx habitat outside of the affected area, and lease stipulations follow management guidelines. Traffic is not anticipated to be a substantial impact. Roads used for this project will be low -speed routes and public use would be prohibited. Roads will also be decommissioned after they are no longer needed, as noted in the lease stipulations. Winter access is not anticipated to be substantially increased over current levels as the area receives little recreational over - the -snow use and maintenance activities would be minimal. Wolverine Given that all potential habitat associated with the proposed action is currently unoccupied there will be no effect on the species. Cumulative Effect Past and current activities have resulted in a change of 125 acres of lynx habitat to unsuitable for lynx within the LAU within the last ten years (0.8% of lynx habitat within the LAU). There has been no timber harvest in this LAU within the last ten years, and any prior activity is incorporated into baseline habitat values for the LAU. The determination of effects (including cumulative) on lynx is that the proposed action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the Canada lynx. 3.7.2.2 No Action There would be no additional impacts on wolverine, lynx or lynx habitat because exploration activities would not occur. 3.8 Forest Service Sensitive Species 3.8.1 Affected Environment The Forest Service Manual (FSM) directs the Regional Forester to identify sensitive species for each National Forest where species viability may be a concern. National Forests are then required to monitor sensitive species populations and prevent declines that could require listing under the Endangered Species Act (FSM 2280.32 (4)). The direction requires the Forest Service to manage the habitat of the species listed in the Regional Forester's Sensitive Species List to prevent further declines in populations, which could lead to Federal listing. Forest Service Region 2 Sensitive Species likely to be present or have habitat within the exploration area include: • American Marten; • Pygmy Shrew; • Northern Goshawk; • Boreal Owl; June 2013 21