2018-09-04_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (57)

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West Elk Mine 2.04.11 Fish and Wildlife Resources Information During the mid-1970's numerous studies were undertaken on the permit and adjacent area to identify and describe the wildlife resources of these areas. These investigations included aerial surveys and road counts for big game (elk, deer, and black bear), strip transects for small animals, direct observation for bird species, and aquatic samples for riverine organisms. Through these studies, database searches in 2003 and 2004, and consultation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (formerly Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW)) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), it was determined that the mining operation would not significantly affect wildlife populations in the permit and adjacent area. For federally-listed wildlife species, the permit area includes bald eagle winter range, and bald eagle winter concentration area has been mapped by CPW along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Lynx habitats have been mapped by USFS in about half of the permit area. There is no designated critical habitat for any federally- listed wildlife species. CPW has mapped critical winter range for elk along the north edge of the permit area, and for mule deer in a few small locations on the west edge. There are no identified big game production areas or migration routes. Additional information on wildlife species within the area of the Southern Panels (E seam longwall panels SSI through SS4) can be found in the habitat and wildlife reports in Exhibit 40 and that were incorporated into the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement for Federal Coal Lease Modifications COC-1362 and COC-67232, dated August 2017 (See https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/\,\ww/nepa/68608 FSPLT3 4051445.pdf.) Lists of mammals, birds, and reptiles and amphibians potentially occurring on the permit and adjacent area have been compiled from field studies, CDOW publications (CDOW, 1990; 1987; 1981) and standard zoological references (Fitzgerald et al., 1994 for mammals, Kingery, 1998 for birds, and Hammerson, 1999 for reptiles and amphibians)and are presented as Table 25,Table 26,and Table 27. Big Game Three big game species, mule deer(Odocoileus hemionus), American elk(Cervus canadensis), and black bear (Ursus americanus), have been documented on the West Elk Mine study area during field studies from November 1975 through February 1979, and in September 1993. Mountain lion (Fells concolor) also undoubtedly occur. The area appears to produce a relatively large number of big game compared to other areas in Colorado and consequently provides many hours of recreational activity each hunting season. Migratory Routes No deer or elk migratory routes are known to exist within the permit area. A discussion of migratory routes would refer to big game species(mule deer and elk in particular), since most other wildlife species either do not migrate (most small and medium-sized mammals and some birds), or they migrate totally into and out of the area seasonally. Preferred Habitat Information on preferred habitats is presented on Map 48 for the habitat preferences of big game, medium-sized mammals, small mammals and birds. A map of the available habitats within the affected area appears as Map 42. 2.04-162 Rev.11/04-PRIO;08/18-PR15