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Home My WebLink About1.16 Biological AssessmentGrass Mesa Telecommunication Tower July, 2017 Garfield County Limited Impact Review Biological Assessment Grass Mesa Radio Tower Garfield County, Colorado Biological Assessment Report Cover Photo: View looking south at the proposed tower location. Prepared for: Mountain Radio Systems 489 ½ 28 ½ Road Grand Junction, CO 81501 Prepared by: 2385 F ½ Road Grand Junction, CO 81505 970-243-3271 June, 2017 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 2.0 Survey Methods ........................................................................................................................ 1 3.0 Site Characteristics .................................................................................................................... 2 3.1 Topography ............................................................................................................................ 2 3.2 Soils and Waters .................................................................................................................... 2 4.0 Survey Findings ......................................................................................................................... 3 4.1 Special Status Species ............................................................................................................ 3 4.2 Flora ....................................................................................................................................... 4 4.2.1 Species Observed ............................................................................................................ 4 4.2.2 Noxious Weeds ................................................................................................................ 4 4.3 Fauna ..................................................................................................................................... 5 4.3.1 Birds of Conservation Concern ........................................................................................ 5 4.3.2 CPW Species and Habitat ................................................................................................ 6 5.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 7 6.0 References ................................................................................................................................ 8 Appendix A – Maps: Site Location Map Topographic Map Soils Map Vegetation Community Map Wildlife Habitat Map Appendix B – Photo Documentation Appendix C – USFWS Email Correspondence Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 1 1.0 Introduction HRL Compliance Solutions, Inc. (HRL) was contracted by Mountain Radio Systems (MRS) on behalf of David Hatch, the private landowner, to conduct a biological assessment within a portion of the 35-acre property located at 1885 County Road 319, Rifle, Colorado (Township 6 South, Range 93 West, in the NW¼SW¼ of Section 23). The Site Location Map in Appendix A depicts the location of the subject property and the area surveyed. The purpose of this biological assessment of the subject property was to field verify site conditions and to determine the presence, or lack thereof, of any threatened, endangered or special status species, and/or their critical habitat and the potential effects the project would have on them. The project consists of one 160-foot tall self-supporting telecommunications tower and one 8-foot by 20-foot building within a 40-foot by 36-foot compound area. Also proposed is a 56-foot long by 10-foot wide access driveway to the tower site from the existing road to the north (Quick Silver Way). The total project footprint has an approximate area of disturbance of 2,000 sq. feet (0.04 ac) in size. The findings of this survey will be utilized and presented in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) checklist audit and through the Garfield County land use review process. This document reports the findings of the desktop and biological field assessments conducted on April 24, 25, and 26 of 2017. 2.0 Survey Methods A preliminary review of the project area was conducted using satellite imagery and topographical maps to familiarize HRL biologists with the project area. HRL reviewed the USFWS Information Planning and Conservation System (IPaC) technical assistance website on April 24, 2017, for federally listed threatened and endangered species, as well as critical habitat, that “may occur or could potentially be affected by” the proposed project. On April 24 and 25, 2017, HRL also downloaded and reviewed the CPW shapefiles (last modified February 8, 2017) of state wildlife species and their habitats. Vegetation communities were determined using aerial imagery, on- site assessment, and HRL personnel previous experience in the area. Plant species occurrence and identification was aided by SEINet specimen records (SEINet). Mapped soil types published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey database was also reviewed for identification of soils within the project boundaries (NRCS, 2017). Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC), including raptors, migratory birds, and other wildlife species associated with Garfield County, Colorado and the overall region were reviewed in the desktop assessment prior to the site investigation. The federal list of the Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 2 Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protected Species (10.13 List) is published by the USFWS (Allen 2013). Birds of Conservation Concern are species listed by the USFWS as priorities for conservation action (USFWS 2008, IPaC). On April 26, 2017, HRL biologists conducted a field survey of the western 19 acres of the subject property. Refer to the Site Location Map in Appendix A for details. HRL conducted a vegetation and wildlife pedestrian survey, identifying all species observed within the project’s boundaries. HRL biologists confirmed the presence, or lack thereof, of any threatened and endangered species likely to occur within the project’s boundaries, and evaluated the survey area for potential suitable habitat. HRL identified BCCs including birds of prey (raptors), migratory, and non-migratory bird species, occurrence, nest sites, if any, and general habitat. Species identification was aided using binoculars and pertinent published field guides (Dunn and Alderfer 2011, Burt and Grossenheider 1976, Conant and Hunt 1986). During the site assessment, HRL biologists determined the presence, or lack thereof, of any potential jurisdictional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Waters of the U.S. (waters), including wetland areas, within the project boundary. 3.0 Site Characteristics 3.1 Topography The proposed tower location is positioned at the latitude and longitude of 39.511671811°N, -107.749799813°W and at an elevation of 6,175 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The western half of the subject property is comprised of relatively flat, dry, non-irrigated grasslands sitting atop Grass Mesa. The eastern and southern portions of the survey area in the property are comprised of rocky, moderate slopes supporting a pinyon pine-juniper woodland ecotype. Refer to the Topographic Map in Appendix A for details. Also refer to Appendix B for photo documentation of the surveyed area. 3.2 Soils and Waters The subject property consists of two soil types: the Vale silt loam, 3 to 6% slopes, and the Torriothents-Rock outcrop complex, steep, (NRCS, 2014). The Vale silt loam covers approximately 45% of the subject property and is predominately associated with the relatively flat, non-irrigated grasslands. The soils in this association are deep, well drained, slightly saline, and form on gently sloping mesas, terraces, and alluvial fans. The Torriothents-Rock outcrop complex covers the remaining 55% of the subject property, and is predominately associated with the moderate slopes supporting the pinyon-juniper ecotype. The soils in this association are predominately shallow, well drained, slightly saline, and form on steep to extremely steep slopes on mountains, fans, and ridges. Rock outcrops and escarpments are common, primarily consisting of sandstone and shale, (Harman and Murray, 1985). Refer to the Soils Map in Appendix A for details. Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 3 Based on review of the Federal Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel 1069 E and IPaC, and confirmed by the field assessment, the proposed tower is not located in a floodplain nor are any potential jurisdictional USACE waters within or in close proximity to the proposed project area. Additionally, the proposed project will not involve any significant change in surface features (e.g. wetland fill, deforestation, or water diversion). 4.0 Survey Findings 4.1 Special Status Species The USFWS IPaC identified the following nine (9) listed species and one (1) proposed to be listed species, respectively, as “known or expected to be on or near the project area”: Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), Bonytail Chub (Gila elegans), Colorado Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), Greenback Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias), Humpback Chub (Gila cypha), Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), DeBeque phacelia (Phacelia submutica), Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis), and North American Wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus). Both the DeBeque phacelia and Ute ladies’-tresses are designated as “threatened” under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The dry, non-irrigated grassland and Pinyon-Juniper ecotypes within the project area are not considered suitable habitat for both species. The Ute Ladies’- tresses prefers seasonally flooded river terraces or high moisture areas, such as canals, berms, barrow ditches, etc., while the DeBeque phacelia prefers moderately steep exposures of chocolate to purplish brown and dark charcoal gray, alkaline clay soils (ECOS). The proposed tower location is outside of the designated critical habitat for DeBeque phacelia. No critical habitat has been designated for Ute ladies-tresses (IPaC). There are no open or perennial water bodies within or in close proximity to the project area, therefore, the above-mentioned listed fish species are not present, and will not be impacted. The natural landscapes within the surveyed area are also not considered suitable habitat for the Mexican spotted owl, yellow-billed cuckoo, or North American wolverine. Mexican spotted owls are known to prefer old-growth mature forests, generally located within canyons that host high canopy closure and riparian or conifer communities. Mexican spotted owls prefer to nest in rock caves, ledges or other areas which provide protected nest sites. Yellow-billed cuckoos prefer woodland habitat with dense cover and nearby water. Nests are often placed in willow communities along perennial streams and rivers. The North American wolverine, a proposed-to- be-listed species, prefers rugged, remote country at high elevations near or above the timberline (ECOS). Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 4 During the biological assessment of the project area, no sensitive, threatened, endangered, or special status species were observed nor was there any evidence found of these species by HRL scientists. It should also be noted that the proposed tower location is not located in an officially designated wilderness area or wildlife preserve. Based on these findings, HRL has determined the project will have a no effect on these listed species or their critical habitats. The USFWS has clarified no effect determinations do not require further submittal or notification to the Service. Refer to the USFWS Email Correspondence in Appendix C for details. 4.2 Flora The field vegetation survey was conducted during the predominate flowering period for most forb species in the area. Despite the survey taking place prior to the predominate flowering period for most grass, shrub, and tree species in the area, detection and identification of the plant species was still effective due to active growth stages and supplemental information of the area. The two vegetation communities (non-irrigated grasslands and pinyon pine-juniper woodlands) are relatively homogenous, with low species biodiversity. 4.2.1 Species Observed The dry, non-irrigated grassland plant community within the survey area is dominated by slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), and big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) are the primary shrubs within the plant community. No dominant forbs were observed within this plant community in the survey area. The pinyon pine-juniper woodland plant community within the survey area is dominated by Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and two-needle pinyon (Pinus edulis). The shrub community is dominated by big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), and broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae). The primary forbs within the plant community are low pussy-toes (Antennaria dimorpha), dwarf cateseye (Cryptantha humilis), and Fendler’s ragwort (Packera fendleri). The primary grasses within this plant community within the survey area are Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) and slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). Refer to the Vegetation Community Map in Appendix A for details. 4.2.2 Noxious Weeds Two (2) noxious weed species were identified within the survey area: Downy brome (Bromus tectorum) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). The noxious weed species were only observed within the dry, non-irrigated grassland. Vehicle traffic in this area promotes weedy seed dispersal and propagation, and the noxious weed locations were concentrated along roadsides and within roadside ditches. Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 5 A list of observed plant species identified within the survey area is listed in Table 1 below: Table 1. Plant species identified within the surveyed area. Dry, Non-irrigated Grassland Pinyon Pine-Juniper Woodland Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Shrubs Trees Green Molly Kochia americana Utah Juniper Juniperus osteosperma Prickly-pear Cactus Opuntia polyacantha Two-needle Pinyon Pinus edulis Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa Rocky Mountain Juniper Juniperus scopulorum Green Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Shrubs Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Big Sagebrush Artemesia tridentata Big Sagebrush Artemesia tridentata Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Forbs Prickly-pear Cactus Opuntia polyacantha Scarlet Gilia Ipomopsis aggregata Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa Cushion Buckwheat Eriogonum ovalifolium Green Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata Grasses Forbs Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus Pallid Milkweed Asclepias cryptoceras Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Crested Wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum Hood’s Phlox Phlox hoodii Smooth Brome Bromus inermis Roughseed Cryptantha Cryptantha flavoculata Weeds Point-tip twinpod Physaria floribunda Downy Brome Bromus tectorum Low Pussy-toes Antennaria dimorpha Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense Fendler’s Ragwort Packera fendleri Pepperweed Alyssum alyssoides Grasses Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides Alfalfa Medicargo sativa Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus But Buttercup Ranunculus testiculatus Weeds Pepperweed Alyssum alyssoides Blue Mustard Chorispora tenella 4.3 Fauna During the on-site assessment, HRL biologists noted the presence of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), elk (Cervus canadensis), and coyote (Canis latrans) within the survey area based on hoof prints and/or evidence of fresh droppings. Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) was the only mammal individual observed within the survey area. HRL biologists identified an American kestrel (Falco sparverius) foraging from powerlines to the north of the proposed tower location and a western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) foraging within the pinyon pine-juniper woodlands to the southeast of the proposed tower location. 4.3.1 Birds of Conservation Concern Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) are species listed by the USFWS as priorities for conservation action (USFWS 2008). The biological survey was conducted during the breeding season for most migratory birds in the area. HRL biologists identified no BCC bird species within the surveyed area. In addition, no active or inactive nests were observed within the surveyed area. Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 6 Table 2 below lists the Birds of Conservation Concern that have the potential to utilize the area, as identified on USFWS’s IPaC. Table 2: Potential Birds of Conservation Concern Common Name Scientific Name Season of Use American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Breeding Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Year-round Black Rosy-finch Leucosticte atrata Year-round Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri Breeding Brown-capped Rosy-finch Leucosticte australis Wintering Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Breeding Calliope Hummingbird Selasphorus calliope Migrating Cassin’s Finch Haemorhous cassinii Year-round Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis Wintering Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca Breeding Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Year-round Gray Vireo Vireo vicinior Breeding Juniper Titmouse Baeolophus ridgwayi Year-round Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Breeding Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Breeding Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Breeding Lucy’s Warbler Oreothlypis luciae Breeding Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Breeding Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Breeding Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Year-round Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus Year-round Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Migrating Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Breeding Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Wintering Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni Breeding Veery Catharus fuscescens Breeding Virginia’s Warbler Leiothlypis virginiae Breeding Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Breeding Williamson’s Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus Breeding Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii Breeding 4.3.2 CPW Species and Habitat On April 24 and 25 of 2017, HRL downloaded CPW’s shapefiles (last modified February 8, 2017) of state wildlife species and their habitats. Per the data, the proposed project occurs in several species’ habitat ranges. Table 3 below indicates those habitat ranges and species. Refer to the Wildlife Habitat Maps in Appendix A for details. Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 7 Table 3: Wildlife habitat ranges within the surveyed area. Habitat Ranges Species Overall Range Black Bear, Elk, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer, Wild Turkey, Tiger Whiptail, Terrestrial Garter Snake, Striped Whipsnake, Smooth Greensnake, Prairie and Western Rattlesnake, Prairie Lizard and Plateau Fence Lizard, Plateau Striped Whiptail, Ornate Tree Lizard, North American Racer, Milksnake, Hernandez’s Short-horned Lizard, Great Plains Ratsnake, Eastern Collared Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard, Common Sagebrush Lizard, Bullsnake Highway Crossings Elk, Mule Deer Winter Range Elk, Canada Geese, Mule Deer Severe Winter Range Elk, Mule Deer Winter Concentration Area Elk, Mule Deer Historic Habitat Greater Sage-grouse, Gunnison Sage-grouse 5.0 Conclusion During the biological assessment of the proposed tower location, HRL biologists observed no sensitive, threatened, endangered, or special status species, nor was there any evidence found of these species within the survey area. Also, there was no proposed or final designated critical habitat or suitable habitat for the sensitive, threatened, endangered or special status species listed for the area. Additionally, no evidence of active or inactive nests, including raptor nests, was observed within the project area. Based on the findings of the biological assessment, the project will have a no effect on the listed species or their critical habitats. The proposed tower location is not located in an officially designated wilderness area or wildlife preserve. The proposed tower location is located within several CPW designated species’ habitat ranges. Based on the small footprint of project impact and the fact that the long-term presence of the proposed tower will have a negligible increase in human activity, HRL doesn’t anticipate a significant impact to wildlife activities in the area. However, temporary displacement and disruption is expected during the periods of active construction. The project area is not located on a floodplain, and will not involve significant change in surface features (e.g. wetland fill, deforestation, or water diversion). Furthermore, there are no potential jurisdictional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) waters within or in close proximity to the proposed project area. Biological Assessment Report Grass Mesa Radio Tower Page | 8 6.0 References Allen, George T., 2013. Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protected Species (10.13 List). MBTA as of December 2, 2013. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/migratory-bird-reaty-act- protected-species.php. Accessed April 24, 2017. Burt, William H., and Richard P. Grossenheider. A Field Guide to the Mammals of America North of Mexico. Third ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1976. Print. Dunn, John L., and Jonathan Alderfer. Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Sixth Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington, D.C. 2011 Print. NRCS. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web Soil Survey: https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. Accessed April 24, 2017. SEINet - Arizona Chapter Collections. <http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/list.php>. Accessed April 26, 2017. USFWS. 2008. Birds of Conservation Concern 2008. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Arlington, Virginia. https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/management/BCC2008.pdf. Accessed April 25, 2017. USFWS. IPaC: "Information for Planning and Conservation”. US Fish and Wildlife Service. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/25MWAQ6LFRDVFNFP5PKEH7OCQY/resources#end angered-species. Accessed April 25, 2017. Appendix A – Maps T:\CLIENTS\MOUNTAIN RADIO SYSTEMS\GRASS MESA TOWER\PERMITTING\MRS Grass Mesa Tower Site Location map 6-15-17 11x17.mxd Author: E. Fought Revision: 1 ¬«13 ¬«6 §¨¦70 Date: 6/19/2017 0 1 2Miles#*± 0 100 200Feet Site Location MapSite Location Map 39.511671 -107.749799Section 23, Township 6 South, Range 93 West Grass MesaGrass MesaTowerTower USGS Quads:and RifleSilt Quick Silver Way #*44'25' 40' 56' 36' Pole Diagram not to scale Quick Silver Way Map Features Local Road Overhead Powerline#*160' Tower Parcel Boundary 8' x 20' Building Assessment Area 40' x 36' Tower Site Driveway Boundary T:\CLIENTS\MOUNTAIN RADIO SYSTEMS\GRASS MESA TOWER\PERMITTING\MRS Grass Mesa Tower Topographic Map 6-15-17.mxd Author: E. Fought Revision: 1 ¬«13 ¬«6 §¨¦70 Date: 6/19/2017 0 1 2Miles#*Dry CreekLast Chance Ditch Colorado River Mamm CreekRifle Creek #*± 0 1,500 3,000Feet 44' 25' 40' 56' 36' Pole Diagram not to scale Quick Silver Way Topographic MapTopographic Map 39.511671 -107.749799Section 23, Township 6 South, Range 93 West Grass MesaGrass MesaTowerTower USGS Quads:and RifleSilt Map Features Local Road Overhead Powerline#*160' Tower Parcel Boundary 8' x 20' Building 40' x 36' Tower Site Driveway Boundary Intermittent Stream T:\CLIENTS\MOUNTAIN RADIO SYSTEMS\GRASS MESA TOWER\PERMITTING\MRS Grass Mesa Tower Soils Map 6-15-17 11x17.mxd Author: E. Fought Revision: 1 ¬«13 ¬«6 §¨¦70 Date: 6/19/2017 0 1 2Miles#*± 0 100 200Feet#*44'25' 40' 56' 36' Pole Diagram not to scale Quick Silver Way Quick Silver Way Soils MapSoils Map 39.511671 -107.749799Section 23, Township 6 South, Range 93 West Grass MesaGrass MesaTowerTower USGS Quads:and RifleSilt Soils Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, steep. Vale silt loam, 3 to 6 percent slopes. Map Features Overhead Powerline#*160' Tower Parcel Boundary 8' x 20' Building 40' x 36' Tower Site Driveway Boundary Local Road T:\CLIENTS\MOUNTAIN RADIO SYSTEMS\GRASS MESA TOWER\PERMITTING\MRS Grass Mesa Tower Vegetation Community Map 6-15-17 11x17.mxd Author: E. Fought Revision: 1 ¬«13 ¬«6 §¨¦70 Date: 6/19/2017 0 1 2Miles#*± 0 100 200Feet Vegetation Vegetation Community MapCommunity Map Grass MesaGrass MesaTowerTower 39.511671 -107.749799Section 23, Township 6 South, Range 93 West USGS Quads:and RifleSilt Quick Silver Way #*44'25' 40' 56' 36' Pole Diagram not to scale Quick Silver Way Map Features Overhead Powerline#*160' Tower Parcel Boundary 8' x 20' Building 40' x 36' Tower Site Driveway Boundary Local Road Vegetation Communities Dry, Non-Irrigated Grasslands Pinyon Pine-Juniper Woodlands Author: E. Fought Revision: 0 Date: 7/13/2017 0 1 2Miles G rass M esaG rass M esaG rass M esaG rass M esaTower Location falls within the overall range of the following species: Canada Geese Habitat Elk Habitat Greater Sage-grouse and Gunnison Sage -grouse Habitat Mule Deer Habitat Greater Sage-grouse Gunnison Sage-grouse 0 400 800Feet 0 400 800Feet 0 400 800Feet 0 400 800Feet 0 10 20Miles 0 10 20Miles 0 10 20Miles 0 10 20Miles 0 10 20Miles Notes/Comments -Black Bear-Bullsnake-Common Side-blotched Lizard-Common Sagebrush Lizard-Eastern Collared Lizard-Elk-Great Plains Ratsnake-Hernandez’s Short-horned Lizard-Milksnake-Mountain Lion-Mule Deer Inset maps display USA Topo maps for background imagery. W i l d l i f e H a b i t a t M a pWildlife H a b i t a t M a p G r a s s M e s a To w e rGrass M e s a To w e r -North American Racer-Ornate Tree Lizard-Plateau Striped Whiptail-PrairieRattlesnake-Prairie Lizard -Plateau Fence Lizard-Smooth Greensnake-Striped Whipsnake-Terrestrial Garter Snake-Tiger Whiptail-Western Rattlesnake-Wild Turkey Revision: 1 Date: 7/13/2017 Quick Silver Way Quick Silver Way Quick Silver WayQuick Silver Way §¨¦70 ¬«6¬«13 39.511671 -107.749799Section 23, Township 6 South, Range 93 West USGS Quads:and RifleSilt Gunnison Sage-grouse Historic Habitat Mule Deer Habitat Winter Concentration Winter Range Severe Winter Range Elk Habitat Winter Range Severe Winter Range ± Canada Geese Habitat Winter Range Greater Sage-grouse Historic Habitat Site Features Local Road Garfield County BoundaryApproximate Parcel Boundary #*160' Tower Appendix B – Photo Documentation Grass Mesa Radio Tower Photo Documentation Page | 1 Photo 1: Facing east from proposed tower location. Photo 2: Facing west from proposed tower location. Grass Mesa Radio Tower Photo Documentation Page | 1 Photo 3: Facing north from proposed tower location. Photo 4: Facing south from proposed tower location. Appendix C – USFWS Email Correspondence 1Brackett MaysFrom:Taylor, Dara <dara_taylor@fws.gov>Sent:Friday, June 16, 2017 1:34 PMTo:Brackett MaysCc:Anna SmithSubject:Re: USFWS ConsultationBrackett, Thank you so much for contacting the Service for clarification on this matter. If your findings led you to a no effect determination then you do not need to notify or submit anything to the Service. Regards, Dara On Fri, Jun 16, 2017 at 11:54 AM, Brackett Mays <bmays@hrlcomp.com> wrote: Ms. Taylor, HRL Compliance Solutions, Inc. is currently in the process of completing an FCC NEPA Checklist for a telecommunications tower outside of Rifle, CO. After receiving and reviewing the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Official Species List on IPaC, based on the findings of the biological assessment we conducted within the project area, we determined the project will have a no effect on the listed species or their critical habitats. Would USFWS need a letter with copy of BA attached to document our no effect determination, or is anything needed to be submitted to the USFWS on this project? Your assistance on this matter will be a great help to us seeing that we need to provide written documentation for the checklist report. Sincerely, 2Brackett Brackett Mays | Environmental Scientist HRL Compliance Solutions, Inc. 2385 F 1/2 Road | Grand Junction, CO 81505 main 970.243.3271 | mobile 970.260.2515 Web | vCard | Map | | Confidentiality Note: This email and any attachments are confidential and only for the use as authorized by HRL Compliance Solutions, Inc. If you receive this message in error or are not the intended recipient, you should not retain, distribute, disclose or use any of this information. Permanently delete the e-mail and any attachments or copies. -- Dara Taylor Energy Botanist Fish and Wildlife Biologist Ecological Services U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Western Colorado Field Office 445 W. Gunnison Ave, Suite 240 Grand Junction, CO 81501-5711 Phone: (970) 628-7190 Fax:(970) 245-6933