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

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BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA 3.9.2 Environmental Consequences 3.9.2.1 Proposed Action Direct and Indirect Effects Elk None of the proposed activities are within mapped elk production areas. However, elk may calve at any location on and off the Forest. Therefore, if activities occur during calving season, elk may be displaced by exploration activities. Access roads used would be closed to the public after construction is complete, and no increase in motorized use of the area after construction, other than minimal entries for monitoring, are anticipated. The exploration area contains no open motorized routes (USFS, 2010). Because elk are very adaptable, and use a wide variety of habitats, the conversion of existing vegetation to a grass /forb, then young seral stages of disturbed habitats once roads and pads are reclaimed is unlikely to have any effect on elk populations. Forage availability in this area is likely to increase once reclamation occurs. Vulnerability to hunters could increase in the new road prisms and pads for several years, but abundant cover is currently found throughout the analysis area and is likely to be immediately available to elk during hunting seasons. Merriam's Wild Turkey Individual nests could be directly lost or abandoned as a result of project activities, but turkeys may re- attempt nesting elsewhere if project actions are detrimental. Direct mortality is possible if turkeys are nesting during construction activities. Long -term effects in cover type and abundance are unlikely to cause substantial impacts on turkeys, as they utilize a wide variety of habitats in this area. Long -term changes in human use of the area are unlikely to result from this project, as described for elk above. The project would affect 30 acres of potential summer turkey habitat. Red -Naped Sapsucker Exploration activities during the nest building through fledgling period of May 20 through August 25 may result in abandonment of nests or alteration of territorial boundaries in the analysis area. Individual nests with eggs or young could be lost during from nest abandonment due to disturbance, or through direct mortality. Habitat changes in this area would be limited to alteration of 25.4 acres of mature aspen stands, suitable for nesting and foraging. Cumulative Effects According to breeding bird surveys, populations appear to be stable or increasing in the U.S., with areas of local declines. From the period 1966 to 2006, the three sapsucker species (combined in the analysis) have exhibited a positive trend of +3.4 %. Within Colorado, populations have exhibited similar but higher upward trends (Sauer, Hines, & Fallon, 2008). June 2013 25