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As addressed in the original document, the lease tract involves sagebrush ranges categorized by <br />CPW as general habitat. No evidence of sage - grouse occupation was found during recent BLM <br />surveys. The utility of these extensive lower elevation sagebrush drainages and low ridges south <br />of Coal Ridge is likely relegated to irregular winter use. The nearest active lek is 15 miles to the <br />east and the nearest mesic habitats that might help support brood functions lie a minimum 4 <br />miles in any direction from the lease. <br />The entire lease tract is encompassed by big game ranges categorized as critical winter range by <br />Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Proposed developments are subject to severe winter range timing <br />limitations through the original NEPA document. Left intact, access required for these <br />exploration holes represents substantial intrusion onto formerly roadless big game ranges and is <br />not consistent with RMP- authorized road density objectives. Big game avoidance response <br />associated with these routes would prompt a suite of road - induced impacts, including disuse of <br />adjacent cover and forage resources and elevated energetic demands during important nutritional <br />bottlenecks (e.g., third trimester gestation, late winter subsistence). BME has been conscientious <br />in efforts to deter continued vehicle use of inactive pad access. <br />Brewer's sparrows, a BLM - sensitive migratory bird, are common and well distributed <br />throughout the lease area's sagebrush communities (about 800 acres or 60% of lease tract). The <br />Proposed Action would involve the direct modification of about 5 acres of sagebrush habitat or <br />less than I% of that available on- lease. With prompt reclamation and effective vehicle <br />deterrence, vegetation clearing of narrow linear access and 0.25 acre pad sites would have no <br />residual influence on the utility of sagebrush habitat for migratory bird nesting activity. Birds of <br />Conservation Concern associated with juniper woodlands (i.e., gray vireo, juniper titmouse) are <br />generally confined to the denser tracts of woodland in the lease's southwest corner (about 70 <br />total acres). No developments are planned for these areas. Disruption of nesting activities to this <br />and other breeding birds associated with the lease tract would be minimized through timing <br />limitations established in the original NEPA document. <br />Threatened and Endangered Plant Species: The Proposed Action is located near suitable and <br />occupied habitat for the BLM sensitive species, debris milkvetch (Astragalus detritalis). The <br />proposed new disturbance was surveyed for debris milkvetch in 2012 but no habitat or <br />individuals were identified. Therefore, there are no SSP species concerns associated with the <br />Proposed Action. <br />REFERENCES: <br />Conner, Carl and Barbara Davenport <br />2012 Report of the Class III Cultural Resources Inventory for a Proposed Exploration License <br />Area (14 Drill Holes and Short Accesses) in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado <br />for Blue Mountain Energy, Inc. BLM #12- 11 -25, OAHP #MC.LM.R657. Grand River <br />Institute, Grand Junction, Colorado. <br />DOI-BLM-CO-1 10-2012-01 10-DNA 7 <br />