88064968

FEDERAL IL SHALE

TRACTS U-a, & U-b,UTAH

FISH & WILDLIFE. MANAGEMENT PLAN

WHITE

RIVER

SHALE

PROJECT

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"bEWtoYMENT OF INTERIOR

RECEIVED

MAY 5 - 1975

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

MISSOURI BASIN REGION

DENVER, COLORADO

United States Department of the Interior

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Conservation Division
Area Oil Shale Supervisor's Office
P.O. Box 2939
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501

May 5. 1975

Memorandum

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To J

Proa:

William L. Rogers, Chairman, Oil Shale Environment: al
Advisory Panel

Acting Area Oil Shale Supervisor

Subject; Utah Fish and Wildlife Management Plan

The subject plan was recently received in the Area Oil Shale Office
and sufficient copies have been supplied to your office for dis-
tribution to the Panel member a if you ao desire.

The plan was reviewed in draft form by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, the State and Vernal District Office of the Bureau of
Land Management , the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and
personnel of this office. Relevant comments and suggestions were
incorporated into the plan.

~~\

James W. Hag«

Acting Area Oil Shale Supervisor

BLM Licr^ry
D-555A, Building 50
D&nver Federal Center
P. 0. Box 26047
Denver, CO 8C225-G047

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR

FEDERAL OIL SHALE PROTOTYPE LEASING PROGRAM

WHITE RIVER SHALE PROJECT

May, 1975

.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. INTRODUCTION 1

II. LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION 1

III. OBJECTIVES 3

IV. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 3

V. EXISTING ACTIVITIES 10
VI. IMPACTS 12

VII. PLANNED MITIGATIONS 13

VIII. SOURCES 16

IX. APPENDICES

A - Preliminary Plant Species Lists

B - Checklist of Mammals

C - Checklist of Birds

D - Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles

E - Potential Surface Disturbance Due to Monitoring Activities

F - Assessment of Wildlife Impacts Related to Field Monitoring Sites

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

1. Location Map of Tracts U-a and U-b and Oil Shale Area (OSA), Utah 2

2. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Game Management Unit 28-A 4

3. Field Monitoring Sites, Eastern Uinta Basin, Utah Back

Pocket

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN

I. INTRODUCTION

The Oil Shale Lease Environmental Stipulations for Federal Oil Shale Prototype Leasing
Program Tracts U-a and U-b, Utah state:

"The Lessee shall submit for approval by the Mining Supervisor, as part of the
exploration and mining plan, a detailed fish and wildlife management plan which
shall include the steps which the Lessee shall take to: (1) minimize damage to fish
and wildlife habitat, including water supplies; (2) restore such habitat in the event
it is unavoidably destroyed or damaged; (3) provide alternate habitats; and (4)
provide controlled access to the public for the enjoyment of the wildlife resources
on such lands as may be mutually agreed upon. The plan shall include, but not be
limited to, detailed information on activities, time schedule, performance
standards, proposed accomplishments, and ways and means of avoiding or
minimizing environmental impacts on fish and wildlife."

The proposed Wildlife and Grazing Guidelines of the Oil Shale Environmental Advisory
Panel state:

"In planning for wildlife, we believe the Lessee must consider habitat
requirements of all species, but some species will be emphasized more than others,
must make plans compatible with the area as a whole, must integrate and
coordinate with existing and proposed plans of local, state, and federal agencies,
must base plans on factual information and not implement until baseline
evaluation procedures are established. Wildlife management objectives are reached
by manipulating habitats, wildlife populations and people. Protecting habitats is
the method of manipulating when no clear and reasonable means of improving are
known."

"The plan should identify opportunities as well as problems, and establish goals
and objectives to benefit wildlife as much as possible. It should provide
alternatives in accomplishing goals as well as resolving conflicts, and should be
used in planning all land use activities."

It should be noted that this Fish and Wildlife Management Plan applies only to the two-year
environmental baseline monitoring program; the Fish and Wildlife Management Plan for the
mining operation itself will be contained in the Detailed Development Plan (DDP).

II. LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Tracts U-a and U-b of the Federal Oil Shale Prototype Leasing Program are located adjacent
to the White River in Uintah County, Utah, approximately 50 miles southeast of Vernal and
approximately five miles south of the town of Bonanza. The tracts lie near the center of the
Uinta Basin in the major oil shale area (OSA). General tract location is shown in Figure 1.
Each tract consists of 5,120 acres of public domain administered by the Department of the
Interior. Tract U-a is leased by Sun Oil Company and Phillips Petroleum Company and Tract

1

LOCATION MAP OF PROJECT AREA
TRACTS U-a, & U-b, UTAH

FIGURE 1

U-b by White River Shale Oil Corporation for the purpose of mining and processing oil
contained in shale deposits lying within or under the leased lands.

Tracts U-a and U-b of the OSA are located in the northeastern part of Game Management
Unit 28-A (North Book Cliffs) as defined by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
(DWR) in Bulletin 67-1, March, 1967 (Figure 2).

III. OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this management plan is to:

1. Minimize the loss of fish and wildlife habitat resulting from monitoring site construction
by limiting activities that could disturb the vegetation or soils to the absolute minimum
necessary to conduct approved monitoring programs.

2. Develop a rehabilitation program that will result in establishment of permanent
vegetative cover on all areas disturbed by the baseline monitoring program.

3. Maintain the area for maximum recreational use by the public during the baseline
monitoring period.

Because relatively little information on the Utah tracts has been collected, analyzed and
interpreted, much of the initial plan will necessarily be based on information derived from
the experience and observations of personnel from the Vernal district offices of the Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and data from Olsen, 1973.

As the environmental baseline data collection and monitoring program progresses,
quantitative data will be incorporated into the plan. Location of all monitoring sites is
shown in Figure 3 (in back pocket).

IV. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

The area in and around Tracts U-a and U-b is characterized by a semiarid climate and
extremely rough topography with sharply dissected canyons, buttes, mesas and badlands,
ranging in elevation from 4,800 to nearly 6,300 feet above sea level. The primary
watercourse draining the area is the White River, which flows westward through the
northern portions of the tracts.

Vegetation is variable depending upon exposure, soil, altitude, water table and other
influences, but consists primarily of salt-tolerant desert shrub types at lower elevations;
pinyon juniper and sagebrush at higher elevations; and riparian types along the White River.
The wide variation in vegetation types and topography results in a correspondingly large
diversity in the numbers and location of wildlife on and around the tracts.

3

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GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT 28-A

FIGURE 2

A. Vegetation

The vegetation of Tracts U-a and U-b has been classified into four main types: riparian,
juniper-sagebrush, greasewood-sagebrush, and shadscale-sagebrush. Species lists for the four
vegetation types are included in Appendix A. These species lists were generated by Dr.
Cyrus McKell and personnel from Utah State University, Logan. There is considerable
variation within these types. Soil moisture, degree of mechanical and/or grazing disturbance,
and site temperature appear to exert primary control over the performance of plant species
at the sites studied. Of the soil chemical parameters evaluated, the ratio of
monovalent/divalent exchangeable cations exerted the greatest influence on plant response.
Although not directly important, soil texture probably has a strong influence on
soil/moisture relationships. Mean annual precipitation on the tracts is ten inches or less.
There are no known springs or seeps on the tracts.

The riparian vegetation is confined to the floodplains along the White River where there is
abundant moisture and deep alluvial soils. In addition to cottonwood, willow and tamarisk
trees, this plant community also contains rabbitbrush, greasewood, desert salt grass, alkali
sacaton and a number of annuals which form a dense understory. This vegetation type
covers about 5 percent of the tracts and provides the highest quality food for herbivores of
any vegetation type on the tracts.

The juniper-sagebrush vegetation type is found on a variety of soils and slopes, from steep,
rocky breaks to high mesas and from open parks to draws. The soils are shallow at higher
elevations and become deeper and less rocky down the slopes in transition to sandy loam in
the draws. This vegetation type provides food and cover for many game and non-game
species.

Big sagebrush is the most common type of brush found within the juniper-sagebrush type,
but black sagebrush is found in nearly pure stands on dryer areas. Desert shrubs such as
horsebush, shadscale and big rabbitbrush are more common close to the White River. Other
plants in this vegetation type are bromegrass, Indian ricegrass, Russian thistle, halogeton and
peppergrass. The juniper-sagegrush community occupies about 40 percent of the tracts.

The greasewood-sagebrush vegetation type is found in the bottom of all major drainages and
on valley floors subject to flooding. This type consists of dense stands of tall greasewood
with a few other shrubs intermixed and little ground cover. Where water conditions are less
than optimal, stands are more open, the growth of greasewood is less vigorous, and other
shrubs and grasses are more abundant. Associated plants include shadscale, rabbitbrush, big
sage, alkali sacaton, squirrel tail and saltgrass. Forage production for wildlife and livestock is
greater in this vegetative type than in the juniper-sagebrush type found on the tracts;
however, situations do exist where the availability of sagebrush makes it more important in
the pinyon-juniper type. The greasewood-sagebrush vegetation type occupies approximately
25 percent of the tracts.

The shadscale-sagebrush vegetation type is found at low elevations and in areas characterized
by extremely xeric conditions. As the clay and salt content of the soil increases, the total
plant density and proportion of grasses decreases but the percentage of saltbush increases.
The shadscale-sagebrush type occupies approximately 30 percent of the tracts.

B. Wildlife

Definitions of wildlife in this section are taken from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Code.

1 . Big Game

All species of hooved protected wildlife are classified as big game. Species in this group
found on the tracts or within the one-mile perimeter are mule deer, pronghorn antelope,
and possibly elk.

2. Small Game

This category includes "any species of protected wildlife normally pursued for sporting
purposes which is not classified as big game, aquatic wildlife, or fur bearers." Those found
on Tracts U-a and U-b or within the one-mile perimeter around the tracts are:

Desert cottontail
Mountain cottontail
Chukar partridge
Ducks
Geese

Mourning doves
Mountain lion
Black bear

3. Non-protected Species

This classification includes all species which are not listed as protected under Utah law.
Mammals such as predators and rodents fall into this category. The following is a partial list
of more important non-protected species found on the tracts and within the one-mile
perimeter:

Coyote

Bobcat

Badger

Swift fox

Raccoon

Ringtail

A check list of mammals (Appendix B) which occur in the OSA was compiled by Olsen
(1973) from all known published accounts, records obtained during his field investigations
and the observations of professional personnel acquainted with the OSA.

6

4. Birds

Numerous species of birds are commonly found on the site. Within the upland desert shrub
community, nesting birds are apparently concentrated in or near the drainage bottoms
because of the increased cover provided by larger, more vigorous vegetation. A relatively
large number of bird species concentrate in the bottomlands of the White River and
Evacuation Creek. Observations by Hayward, et al. (1958) indicate that bird populations
are relatively high in the Rainbow area considering the scarcity of water. Similar bird species
occur in the Bonanza area, although they are less abundant. A relatively large number of
individuals of a few species utilize the drier upland habitats away from the streams.

The only upland game bird known to occur on the tracts is the chukar partridge. Chukar
habitat in the area is associated with dense stands of seed-producing annuals that occupy
rocky slopes and canyons, especially along streams and wet areas.

The only migratory game bird other than waterfowl found on the tracts is the mourning
dove. Doves are found throughout the OSA in all habitat types. These birds utilize the
pinyon-juniper type for nesting and rest areas. They frequent dry washes and desert shrub
areas containing seed-bearing annuals, which are their primary food source in the area.

Waterfowl habitat in the OSA and especially on Tracts U-a and U-b is limited to segments of
the White River. Migrating waterfowl primarily use as resting areas that portion of the White
River downstream from the western boundary of the OSA. Waterfowl use of the river may
be greater than previously believed. On March 18, 1975, Jeff Grandison of the Utah DWR
noted 11 pairs of Canada geese and numerous other waterfowl on the White River between
Hells Hole Canyon and Asphalt Wash.

Knowledge of raptor densities in the OSA is limited, but evidence indicates that their
numbers are relatively high (Strong, 1973). The abundance of high precipitous cliffs and
other rock formations in the OSA provides many perching and nesting sites, as do the
cottonwood trees along the White River. Other raptors prefer to use juniper trees and other
shrubs for these purposes. In addition, there is an abundance of prey in the form of
medium-sized diurnal rodents, small and medium-sized nocturnal rodents and passerine
birds. The area is attractive to raptors, especially during the winter months when large
numbers migrate into the area.

A checklist of raptors which occur in the area and their status compiled by Mark Strong,
BLM, in 1973 and updated by Jim Zumbo, BLM, in 1974 is presented in Table 1.

5. Amphibians and Reptiles

The herpetology of the tracts and nearby areas is not well documented. Hayward, et al.
(1958) made limited observations and collections in the Bonanza area as part of an overall
study of the zoology of the Upper Colorado River Basin. No quantitative data are currently

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TABLE 1

Checklist of Raptorial Birds Which Are Known to Occur or Probably Occur in the Utah Oil
Shale Area Together With Their Period of Residency and Preferred Nesting Sites.

Species

Turkey vulture
Sharp-shinned hawk
Cooper's hawk
Red- tailed hawk
Swainson's hawk
Rough-legged hawk
Ferruginous hawk2
Golden eagle
Bald eagle
Marsh hawk
Osprey
Prairie falcon
Peregrine falcon
Sparrow hawk
Great-horned owl
Burrowing owl

Status"!

*S
*S
*S
*R
*S

w
*s

*R

w

*R

*S

*R-S
*R-S
*S-R

*R

Preferred Nesting Sites

Cliff ledges

Low trees

Trees in river bottoms

Trees or cliff ledges

Low trees

Ground, trees or cliff ledges
Cliff ledges

Ground or low vegetation

Trees

Cliff ledges

Cliff ledges

Natural cavities in trees or cliffs

Trees and cliff ledges

Burrow in ground

1 * - Nests in area

R - Permanent resident

S - Summer resident

W - Winter resident

2 Probably occurs in area

SOURCE: Olson, 1973.

available on the status and distribution of amphibians and reptiles on Tracts U-a and U-b
and within the one-mile perimeter around the tracts. A checklist of species which may occur
in the area is included in Appendix D.

6. Fish

Fish habitat in the vicinity of Tracts U-a and U-b consists of the White River. Some
information is available regarding the kinds and relative abundance of fish in the White
River, but data are scanty.

The White River has been given a rating of IV by the Utah DWR. This rating indicates the
stream is of poor quality with limited fishery value. However, the White River is the only
available fishery near the tracts and, as a result, is of greater importance that the rating
indicates.

The highly erodible soils in the White River drainage basin result in heavy siltation and high
turbidity. These conditions have created a depleted environment suited primarily to
non-game fish, both in the White River and its tributaries in the area of Tracts U-a and U-b.

In addition to providing needed baseline data against which to judge the effects of future
activities, fisheries investigations in the White River are needed to determine whether four
species of threatened fishes occur in the White River. These species will be discussed in the
following section.

During the periods of October 15 to 17 and November 20 to 21, 1974, biologists from
VTN, Utah DWR and BLM collected fish from eight different sample points on the White
River between Hells Hole Canyon and the confluence with the Green River. Fish were
collected from Stations 1-4 on October 15-17, 1974, and from Stations 5-8 on November 20
and 21, 1974. A total of 1,313 fish was collected during the two sampling periods.

Species of fishes and numbers collected from the eight sampling stations are as follows:

No. of
Common Name Scientific Name Fish

Brown trout Salmo trutta 1

Carp Cyprinus carpio 9

Roundtail chub Gila robusta 28

Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas 64

Speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus 160

Red shiner Notropis lutrensis 855

Bluehead sucker Catostomus discobolus 22

Flannelmouth sucker Catostomus latipinnis 153

Channel catfish Icatalurus punctatus 21

Total 1-313

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7. Endangered or Threatened Species

The only bird on the endangered list which may occur in the OSA is the peregrine falcon;
however, no detailed data are available on its status or distribution in the area.

Prairie falcons and ospreys are the only threatened birds known to occur in the area.
Estimates by Perry (1975) indicate less than 25 pairs of prairie falcons in the OSA. No data
are available on ospreys. Studies are currently underway to determine the status and
distributions of these birds in the OSA.

There are four threatened species of fishes that potentially could occur in the White River
on or near the tracts (Miller, 1972):

• Humpback chub and Colorado squawfish, considered "rare and endangered" (i.e.,
actively threatened with extinction and continued survival unlikely without special
protective measures)

• Humpback sucker, considered "rare" (i.e., not under immediate threat of extinction,
but occurring in such small numbers and/or in such a restricted or specialized habitat
that it could quickly disappear)

• Bonytail chub, considered "depleted" (i.e., still occurring in numbers adequate for
survival, but the species has been heavily depleted and continues to decline at a rate
substantially greater than can be sustained)

At the present time, the only mammal in the OSA occupying a unique protected status is
the wild horse. These animals are protected by Public Laws 86-234, passed in 1959, and
92-195, passed in 1971. The exact number of wild horses in the OSA and their distribution
are not known.

V. EXISTING ACTIVITIES

A. Industrial

The transportation corridor provided by Highway 45 and the gilsonite mining activity in the
Rainbow and Little Emma area constitute the primary industrial uses of the OSA. There are
also several minor gas and oil fields underlying the tracts and the surrounding area.

B. Agricultural

Three ranches operate on a seasonal basis in the OSA, with a total of 10 to 15
semi-permanent residents. The land surface of the tracts within the OSA is used primarily
for livestock grazing and includes three allotments: Hells Hole, Wagon Hound and Southam
Canyon.

According to BLM Vernal District personnel, approximately 6,900 sheep graze on portions
of the tracts between November and March, which is equivalent to approximately 380

10-

animal unit months (AUMs) of grazing (about 12.5 acres/ A UM). In addition, approximately
14,000 sheep trail through the lease area twice each year along the main county road and
Southam Canyon Road.

The only cattle grazing allotment on Tracts U-a and U-b includes the riparian area along the
White River. One hundred cattle graze for a four-month period in the summer. The majority
of their grazing is limited to the river bottom, although they do move onto the
sagebrush-grass slopes regularly. Forage utilization in the riparian areas appears to be high, as
noted by VTN biologists working in the area in the summer and fall of 1974.

C. Hunting, Trapping and Fishing

The only species of big game in any numbers located on or around Tracts U-a and U-b are
mule deer. Most occur in the riparian areas during the summer and are year-round residents
of these areas or the adjacent drainages and slopes. Information collected in connection with
the large mammal monitoring program will help to quantify the number of deer harvested
from the area.

Small game, upland bird and migratory bird hunting is a common seasonal activity in the
management area. Small game hunting is limited almost exclusively to cottontail rabbits.

The only upland bird species known to occur on Tracts U-a and U-b is the chukar partridge.
Chukar populations vary from year to year in the area (pers. comm., Neilson, 1975). The
number of birds harvested corresponds with the annual population.

The number of mourning doves is high during nesting and in the summer, but diminishes
with the onset of cold weather. As a result most of the birds have migrated out of the area
by the time hunting season opens and the numbers taken are generally low. No data are
currently available on the approximate number of doves harvested.

Some predator hunting by sportsmen occurs between November and March. Most predators
are taken by professional trappers for economic purposes and by sport hunters. Species
commonly taken are coyotes and bobcats.

Trapping of fur-bearers is limited. About one percent of the beaver trapped in Uintah
County during the 1973-74 season were taken from the OSA (Beaver Management Unit 43).
However, observations by Grandison (pers. comm., 1975) indicate that beaver numbers on
the White River are higher than originally believed.

The White River supports few game fish and sport fishing is limited. Contacts will be made
with fishermen during the course of the monitoring study to help quantify the fishing
pressure and distribution and to help delineate which sport fishes are harvested.

11-

D. Non-Consumptive Recreational

Limited camping occurs during the summer months in the riparian area just north of the
Ignatio Stage Station and the White River. Some hiking, sightseeing, exploring, canoeing,
river floating and bird watching also occur. One objective of this plan will be to quantify the
use of the area for these activities.

In summary, the significant existing uses of the area consist of:

• A transportation corridor through the tracts used primarily by gilsonite mining
personnel

• Monitoring activities by the lessee

• Year-long grazing of domestic livestock

• Hunting, trapping and fishing activities, primarily by local residents

• Non-consumptive recreational activities

VI. IMPACTS

As an integral part of the monitoring program, the lessee has constructed a number of air
quality and meteorological monitoring stations, surface and ground water quality sampling
stations and drilled geologic core holes.

Two air quality and meteorology stations require fenced areas of approximately 700 sq. ft.
(65 sq. meters) and each consists of a trailer with a 100-foot tower (30 meters). The other
eleven air stations have 30- foot (10- meter) towers and a fenced area that encompass
approximately 32 sq. ft. (3 sq. meters). Once drilling is completed at the ground water
stations, only a capped pipe appears above the ground. Surface water stations consist of a
steel cylinder approximately 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter and 9 to 15 feet high (3 to 5
meters). These stations will be visited frequently during the course of the monitoring
program.

The primary impacts which will occur during the two-year monitoring period will be the loss
of habitat and disruption of wildlife activities. All activities occurring on the site have the
potential to affect habitat and wildlife in varying degrees. Actual and potential impacts that
may occur during the baseline monitoring period are as follows:

• Loss of vegetation and habitat from establishment of monitoring stations

• Loss of habitat from road construction to the monitoring stations

• Loss of habitat from power line construction

• Road kills resulting from vehicular travel on the site

• Impacts on wildlife from noise at drill sites which would alter collection of data in
those areas

• Loss of habitat from check dam impoundments at drill sites

• Indiscriminate harassment or killing of wildlife.

12-

VII. PLANNED MITIGATIONS

A. General

Monitoring sites have been located to reduce the amount of impact on soils, available
browse and cover in the immediate area. To help minimize impacts the following measures
have been or will be implemented:

• Road construction will be kept to an absolute minimum

• Temporary roads needed for access to monitoring sites will be closed immediately
following cessation of activities

• Drill pad size will be kept to an absolute minimum

• Collection basins will be built to collect water from pump tests should the water
quality fail to meet established standards.

• All lessee personnel will confine travel to established roads or access routes

To develop a baseline of data on loss of habitat from these activities and to determine the
success of rehabilitation, the lessee has developed a program to record the unit area of
habitat affected and the ultimate success of rehabilitation. Detailed data will be kept
throughout the life of the project on the following:

• Area lost to road construction

• Area lost to drilling or other activities and not recovered

• Area lost to establishment of monitoring stations

• Extent and status of rehabilitation during and after the monitoring period

The actual net loss of habitat can be determined at any time from the data compiled on
area disturbed vs. area rehabilitated. The first phase of this plan was initiated in late
November, 1974, when VTN biologists visited all monitoring sites and roads and assessed
the amount of vegetation lost and potential impacts on wildlife. Data from these
investigations are included in Appendices E and F.

The rehabilitation program will be continuous through the life of the project. This program
will attempt to restore all disturbed areas to a productivity level at least equal to that which
existed prior to disturbance. To accomplish this objective, fast-growing species will be
planted to control erosion in addition to self-sustaining species of vegetation which will
become established more slowly on the site.

Methods for rehabilitation of the monitoring sites as planned are:

1. Grade the area to contour and then roughen the surface to increase infiltration and
reduce surface run-off. The micro-relief so produced increases soil water availability in
the small depressions, creates shaded areas, and reduces wind action in the depressions.
This roughening will enhance seedling growth in the boundary layer between soil and air.
By manipulating the surface, the survival percentage of plantings will be maximized.

-13-

2. Plant prepared surfaces in both early spring and late fall (as these surfaces become
available) by drilling and seeding. A mixture of perennial plant species^ which will
ultimately form the final vegetative cover while at the same time furnishing short-term
cover will be used. If research provides a better method of planting, such as encapsulated
seedlings, it will be used. The objective is to achieve a self-sustaining vegetative cover in
the shortest period of time possible.

3. If necessary, reseeded areas will be fenced to protect them from grazing until a stand is
established.

The kinds of species to be used will be determined by recognized authorities in the area. The
principal components of the seed mixtures to be used will be grasses and forbs, but seedling
trees and shrubs will also be planted at appropriate locations on the new surfaces. The
rehabilitation plans conform to the stated goals of the federal agencies charged with
managing the site. The lessee will plant a variety of species which will allow "multiple use
and sustained yield" of the renewable natural resources.

B. Wildlife

Monitoring site activities will be less intensive in the winter, which should reduce stress on
the deer caused by the necessity of relocating away from points of significant human
activity. Impacts on elk or antelope are not expected to occur because elk are not known to
use the area and few antelope occur within the one-mile perimeter north of the White River.

If any impacts affecting any of the species are detected, immediate actions will be taken to
minimize or eliminate these impacts. This will include, but not be limited to:

• Timing of activities during the day or season to reduce pressure on the wildlife

• Timing of activities between sites to move personnel to work at the sites during
periods of low use by the wildlife

Numerous raptors are in the area at various times of the year, but the greatest numbers
occur in the winter. No detailed data are available on numbers, extent of activities or eyrie
location. Studies are underway to compile this information. As data become available,
on-site activities that conflict with raptors will be put under rigid controls by the lessee to
eliminate impacts to those species having very low tolerance to man. The following actions
will be implemented if any conflicts develop:

• Complete curtailment of activities near the impact area or timing of activities for a
period that would mitigate the problem, i.e., no activities during nesting season

• Timing of activities during the day or night; i.e., no activity in sensitive use areas
during the day

' Species to be used are currently being determined by AOSS, BLM and USU.

■14-

C. Fisheries

The only potential for water pollution that would affect fish or aquatic life would be water
from pump tests. Check dams will be built to contain any waters that do not meet
established standards.

Should any unforeseen emergency occur which would result in the destruction of large
amounts of habitat with the resulting displacement of wildlife (i.e., range fire, water
pollution, etc.) the lessee will immediately contact the AOSS and BLM offices in order to
receive authority to proceed with control.

D. Human Activity

The increased numbers of people in the area will probably lead to problems. The influx of
people associated with testing and monitoring, hunters, fishermen, casual observers and
curiosity seekers may result in impacts on the habitat and wildlife to varying degrees.

To minimize impacts on the habitat and fish and wildlife caused by increased numbers of
people, the following measures will be taken to control human activities on the site:

• Development of an ongoing education program for all personnel working on the site
by June, 1975, to promote awareness of all phases of the monitoring program and
personal control measures which will assist the program

• Ongoing seminars in conjunction with the monthly coordination meetings of the
BLM, Utah DWR and AOSS to inform personnel of any problems and of changes
occurring on the tracts

• Dismissal of any employee convicted of violating any game and fish laws of the State
of Utah

• Periodic publications for all employees describing on-site activities, progress of the
monitoring program, and possible ways they can assist in improving the program

• A publication to be distributed to visitors identifying the study area and describing
activities occurring on the tracts, and how the public can assist in minimizing
impacts

This plan is designed to control any new or unique problems that could potentially develop
on the site. The potential for discussing problems through education and information will be
exploited to the fullest by the lessees during the baseline monitoring period.

The baseline data collected during the two-year study period will be the basis for evaluating
future impacts. In addition to minimizing impacts on habitats and wildlife, an effective Fish
and Wildlife Management Plan is necessary to maintain existing environmental conditions in
order to eliminate bias from subsequent data collection and analysis.

-15-

VIII. SOURCES

A. Bibliography

1. Dastrup, B.C. 1963. Vegetational changes of the Uintah Basin since settlement. M.S.
Thesis. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

2. Graham, E.A. 1973. Botanical studies in the Uintah Basin of Utah and Colorado. Annals
Carnegie Mus. 26:1-432.

3. Green, J. R., L.A. Sharp, C.W. Cook and L.E. Harris. 1951. Utilization of winter forage by
sheep. J. Range Mgt. 4:233-241.

4. Miller, R.R. 1972. Threatened freshwater fishes of the United States. Transactions Amer.
FishSoc. 101:239-252.

5. Olsen, P.F. 1973. Wildlife Resources of the Utah Oil Shale Area. Utah State Division of
Wildlife Resources. Publication Number 74-2.

6. Strong, Mark. 1973. Birds of the Vernal BLM District (unpublished).

7. Utah State Department of Fish and Game. 1967. Utah Big Game Range Inventory 1966.
Utah State Department of Fish and Game Departmental Information Bulletin No. 67-1.

8. Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources. 1973. Wildlife Resources Code of Utah.

B. Contacts

1. Crosby, Chad, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Vernal, Utah, 1974 and 1975.

2. Grandison, Jeff, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Vernal, Utah, 1975.

3. Huff, Clair, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Vernal, Utah, 1974 and 1975.

4. Huff, Jerry, Bureau of Land Management, Vernal, Utah, 1974 and 1975.

5. Neilson, Bob, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Vernal, Utah, 1974 and 1975.

6. Perry, Mike, Utah Museum of Natural History. Vernal, Utah, 1975.

16-

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

PRELIMINARY PLANT SPECIES LIST FOR THE
SHADSCALE-BLACK SAGEBRUSH TYPE

GRASSES

Western wheatgrass

Agropyron smithii
Bottlebrush squirreltail

Si tan ion hystrix
Galleta

Hilaria jamesii
Indian ricegrass

Oryzopsis hymenoides
Needle-and-thread

Stipa comata

FORBS

Aster

Aster species
Eriogonum

Eriogonom species
Fleabane

Erigeron species
Globemallow

Sphaeralcea species
Gray summer cypress

Koch i a vestita
Halogeton

Halogeton glomeratus
Hymenoxys

Hymenoxys species
Mountain sagebrush

Artemisia ludoviciana
Mustard

Cruci ferae species
Russian thistle

Salsola kali

SHRUBS

Big sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata
Black sagebrush

Artemisia nova

SHRUBS (Continued)

Broom snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae
Cactus

Opuntia spp.
Euphorbia

Euphorbia species
Greasewood

Sarcobatus vermiculatus
Horsebrush

Tetradymia spinosa
Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Shadscale

Atrip lex confertifolia
Winterfat

Eurotia lanata

PRELIMINARY SPECIES LIST FOR THE
SAGEBRUSH-GREASEWOOD TYPE

GRASSES

Bottlebrush squirreltail

Sitanion hystrix
Galleta

Hi I aria jamesii
Indian ricegrass

Oryzopsis hymenoides
Needle-and-thread

Stipa comata
Sand dropseed

Spo robot us cryptandrus

FORBS

Broom snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae
Eriogonum

Eriogonum species
Fleabane

Erigeron species
Globemallow

Sphaeralcea species
Gray summer cypress

Koch i a vestita
Mustard

Cruci ferae species
Russian thistle

Salsola kali
Western ragweed

Ambrosia psilostachya

SHRUBS

Big sagebrush

A rtemisia triden ta ta
Black sagebrush

Artemisia nova
Cactus

Opuntia species
Greasewood

Sarcobatus vermiculatus
Horsebrush

Tetradymia spinosa

SHRUBS (Continued)

Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Shadscale

Atrip lex con ferti folia
Spiny hopsage

Grayia spinosa
Winterfat

Eurotia lanata

PRELIMINARY SPECIES LIST OF THE
JUNIPER-SAGEBRUSH TYPE

GRASSES

Blue grama

Bouteloua gracilis
Bottlebrush squirreltail

Si tan ion hystrix
Galleta

Hilaria jamesii
Indian ricegrass

Oryzopsis hymenoides
Muhly

Muhlenbergia aspen 'folia
Mutton bluegrass

Poa fendleriana
Needle-and-thread

Stipa comata
Saltgrass

Distich/is spicata
Sandberg bluegrass

Poa sandbergii
Western wheatgrass

Agropyron smithii

FORBS

Aster

Aster species
Bastard toadflax

Comandra pallida
Broom snakeweed

Gutierrezi a sarothrae
Cryptantha

Cryptantha species
Eriogonom

Eriogonom species
Fleabane

Erigeron species
Groundsel

Senecio species
Halogeton

Halogeton glomeratus
Hymenoxys

Hymenoxys species

FORBS (Continued)

Mountain sagebrush

Artemisia ludoviciana
Mustard

Cruci ferae species
Phlox

Phlox species
Stiff goldenrod

Solidago rigida

SHRUBS

Big sagebrush

Artemisia triden ta ta
Black sagebrush

Artemisia nova
Cactus

Opuntia species
Greasebrush

Forsellesia spinescens
Horsebrush

Tetradymia spinosa
Green ephedra

Ephedra viridus
Greenes rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus greenei
Euphorbia

Euphorbia species
Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Shadscale

Atrip lex con ferti folia
Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus

TREES

Utah juniper

Juniperus osteosperma

PRELIMINARY SPECIES LIST FOR THE
RIPARIAN TYPE

GRASSES

Alkali sacaton

Sporobolus airoides
Muhly

Muhlenbergia aspen : folia
Mutton bluegrass

Poa fendleriana
Saltgrass

Distich/is spicata
Western wheatgrass

Agropyron smithii

GRASSLIKE

Common reed

Phragmites communis
Meadow horsetail

Equisetum arvense
Rush

Juncus balticus

FORBS

Belvedere summer cypress

Koch i a scoparia
Clematis

Clematis ligusticifolia
Globemallow

Sphaeralcea species
Mat sandbur

Cenchrus pauciflorus
Poverty sumpweed

Iva axillaris
Russian thistle

Salsola kali
Thistle

Cirsium species
Tumble mustard

Sisymbrium altissium
Western ragweed

Ambrosia psilostachya
Yellow sweet clover

Melilotus officinalis

SHRUBS

Big sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata
Cactus

Opuntia species
Fat-hen saltbush

Atrip/ex patula
G reasewood

Sarcobatus vermoculatus
Mountain sagebrush

Artemisia ludoviciana
Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Skunk bush sumac

Rhus trilobata

TREES

Five-stamen tamarisk
Tamarix pentandra

Fremont cottonwood
Populus fremontii

Willow

Salix exigua

APPENDIX B

CHECKLIST OF MAMMALS OF THE OIL SHALE AREA (OSA)

Legend

*A - Confirmed record of occurrence as evidenced by museum specimens or sightings by
qualified personnel.

B - Probable occurrence; incomplete or weak evidence.

C - Possible occurrence; probability is of nonoccurrence.

*a - abundant

c - common

o - occasional

r - rare

u - status unknown

Common and Scientific Name

Western pipistrelle

Pipistrellus hesperus hesperus
Big brown bat

Eptesicus fuscus pallidus
Nuttall's cottontail

Sylvilagus nuttaf/ii gr anger i
Desert cottontail

Sylvilagus audobonii warreni
Black-tailed jack rabbit

Lepus californicus desert icol a
Least chipmunk

Eutamias minimus operarius
Colorado chipmunk

Eutamias quadrivittatus hopiensis
Yellow-bellied Marmot

Marmota flaviventris nosophora
White- tailed antelope squirrel

Ammospermophilus leucurus pennipes
Golden-mantled ground squirrel

Spermophilus lateralis lateralis

Occurrence
in OSA*

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

Relative

Abundance

in OSA**

Common and Scientific Name

Northern pocket gopher

Thomomys talpoides ocius
Apache pocket mouse

Perognathus apache caryi
Ord's kangaroo rat

Dipodomys ordii u in ten sis
Beaver

Castor canadensis duchesnei
Western harvest mouse

Reithrodontomys megalotis mega/otis
Canyon mouse

Peromyscus crinitus auri pectus
Deer mouse

Peromyscus maniculatus nebrascensis
Pinyon mouse

Peromyscus truei truei
Northern grasshopper mouse

Onychomys leucogaster pallescens
Desert wood rat

Neotoma lepida sanrafaeli
Bushy-tailed wood rat

Neotoma cinerea macrodon
Porcupine

Erethizon dorsatum couesi
Coyote

Can is latrans testes
Swift fox

Vulpes velox
Gray fox

Urocyon cinererargenteus scottii
Badger

Tax idea tax us taxus
Spotted skunk

Spilogale pu tori us gracilis
Striped skunk

Mephitis mephitis
Bobcat

Lynx rufus pallescens
Mule deer

Odocoi/eus hemionus hemionus

Occurrence
in OSA*

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

Relative

Abundance

in OSA**

APPENDIX C

Checklist of Birds Personally Observed by Mark A. Strong on the Utah Prototype Oil Shale
Lease Tracts and in Nearby Similar Habitats During 1972 and 1973 (Olsen, 1973: 91-93).

Explanation of Symbols

Species

Canada goose
Mallard

Blue-winged teal
Common goldeneye
Bufflehead
Turkey vulture
Cooper's hawk
Red-tailed hawk
Golden eagle
Bald eagle
Marsh hawk
Prairie falcon
Sparrow hawk
Chukar
Sandhill crane
Killdeer

Spotted sandpiper
Least sandpiper
American avocet
Mourning dove
Great horned owl
Common nighthawk
Vaux's swift
White- throated swift
Red-shafted flicker
Yellow-bellied sapsucker
Hairy woodpecker
Downy woodpecker

i

a

Abundance

- abundant

R

Status

- permanent resident

c

- common

S

- summer resident

u

- uncommon

W

- winter resident

o

- occasional

M

- migrant

r

- rare

*

- nests in area

Abundance

and Statu

IS

Habitat Preference in Oil Shale Area

uR*

White River

uR*

White River

oS*

White River

oM

White River

oM

White River

uS*

Throughout

oR*

Pinyon-juniper (PJ) and riparian woodland

cR*

Throughout

cR*

Throughout

rM

White River

oR*

Throughout

rS*

Throughout, nests on cliffs

cS*

Throughout

oR*

Rocky slopes and canyons

uM

Rests along White River

uR*

Along streams and ponds

uS*

White River

oM

White River

uS*

White River

cS*

Throughout

oR*

PJ and riparian woodland

cS*

Throughout

accidental

White River

uS*

Cliffs along White River

cR*

PJ and riparian woodland

er

uR*

PJ and riparian woodland

uR*

PJ and riparian woodland

oR*

PJ and riparian woodland

Abundance

Species

and Status

Western kingbird

uS*

Ash-throated flycatcher

oS*

Say's phoebe

cS*

Western wood peewee

uS*

Horned lark

oR*

Violet-green swallow

uS*

Rough-winged swallow

oS*

Barn swallow

uS*

Cliff swallow

cS*

Black-billed magpie

cR*

Common raven

uR*

Common crow

oR*

Pinyon jay

cR*

Clark's nutcracker

oR*

Black-capped chickadee

uR*

Mountain chickadee

uR*

Plain titmouse

oR*

White-breasted nuthatch

oR*

Red-breasted nuthatch

oR*

Bewick's wren

oS*

Rock wren

aS*

Mockingbird

oS*

Sage thrasher

uS*

Robin

uR*

Mountain bluebird

aS*

Townsend's solitaire

oR*

Blue-gray gnatcatcher

oS*

Loggerhead shrike

uS*

Starling

oR*

Solitary vireo

oS*

Virginia's warbler

rS*

Yellow warbler

cS*

Audubon's warbler

cS*

Black-throated gray warbler

uS*

Yellow-breasted chat

oS*

House sparrow

oR*

Western meadowlark

uR*

Red-winged blackbird

oS*

Bullock's oriole

uS*

Brewer's blackbird

uR*

Brown-headed cowbird

uR*

Black-headed grosbeak

oS*

Blue grosbeak

rS*

Habitat Preference in Oil Shale Area

Riparian woodland

Riparian woodland

Throughout

PJ and riparian woodland

Grassland, low desert shrub

Riparian woodland

Stream courses

Stream courses

Stream courses

PJ and riparian woodland

Throughout

Throughout

Pinyon-juniper

Pinyon-juniper

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

Pinyon-juniper

Pinyon-juniper

Rocky areas throughout

Brushland, riparian woodland

Brushland

PJ and riparian woodland

Nests in pinyon-juniper

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

Open brushland

Near buildings

PJ and riparian woodland

Pinyon-juniper

Riparian woodland

Riparian woodland

Pinyon-juniper

Riparian woodland

Near buildings

Grassland

Ponds and streams

Riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

Abundance

Species

and Status

Lazuli bunting

oS*

House finch

uR*

Gray-crowned rosy finch

oW

Black rosy finch

rW

American goldfinch

oR*

Green-tailed towhee

cS*

Rufous-sided towhee

cR*

Lark bunting

oS*

Savannah sparrow

oS*

Vesper sparrow

cS*

Lark sparrow

cS*

Black-throated sparrow

uS*

Sage sparrow

cS*

Oregon junco

cW

Gray-headed junco

oS*

Tree sparrow

oW

Chipping sparrow

oS*

Brewer's sparrow

aS*

White-crowned sparrow

uW

Fox sparrow

oM

Song sparrow

oR*

Habitat Preference in Oil Shale Area

Brushy slopes and riparian woodland

PJ and riparian woodland

Winters throughout

Winters throughout

Riparian woodland

Brushland throughout

Brushland throughout

Grassland

Grassland

Open brushland and grassland

Open brushland

Brushland

Brushland

Winters throughout

Winters throughout

Winters throughout

PJ and riparian woodland

Brushland

Open brushland

Woodlands throughout

Brushland and woodlands throughout

Birds Recorded During 50 Three-Minute Observation and Listening Stops Along a 24.5 Mile
Breeding Bird Census Route From the White River South Beyond Rainbow on June 12,

1973. Data Collected by Mark A. Strong

Species

Common goldeneye
Turkey vulture
Red-tailed hawk
Sparrow hawk
Mourning dove
Common nighthawk
White- throated swift
Hairy woodpecker
Say's phoebe
Western wood peewee
Horned lark
Violet-green swallow
Cliff swallow
Black-billed magpie
Common raven
Pinyon jay
Mountain chickadee
White-breasted nuthatch
Bewick's wren
Rock wren
Mockingbird
Sage thrasher
Mountain bluebird
Townsend's solitaire
Loggerhead shrike
Starling

Virginia's warbler
Yellow warbler
Audubon's warbler
Black-throated gray warbler
Western meadowlark
Brewer's blackbird
Brown-headed cowbird
Lazuli bunting
House finch
Green-tailed towhee
Rufous-sided towhee

Number of
Individuals

7

1

1

1
14
16
10

1

9

3

4

2

1

3

1
12

5

2

2
43

1

2

9

4

2
12

1

1

1

4
16

2
10

1

9

1

3

Number of Stops
At Which Observed

1

1

1

1
11
12

1

1

8

3

1

1

1

2

1
10

4

1

1
24

1

2

8

2

2

1

1

1

1

4

7

1

5

1

5

1

3

Number of Number of Stops

Species Individuals At Which Observed

Lark bunting 2 1

Vesper sparrow 3 2

Lark sparrow 5 3

Black-throated sparrow 12 9

Sage sparrow 8 6

Chipping sparrow 3 1

Brewer's sparrow 36 20

TOTAL 288

APPENDIX D

Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles Which Probably Occur in the Utah Oil Shale Area
Based on Information Provided by Dr. Wilmer W. Tanner, Zoology Department, Brigham
Young University in August 1973. Those Marked with an Asterisk are Thought by Dr.
Tanner to be the Common and More Abundant Species (Olsen, 1973: 142).

AMPHIBIANS

Great Basin spadefoot

Scaphiopus hammondi
* Rocky Mountain toad

Bufo woodhousei
*Western chorus frog

Pseud acris triseriata
*Western leopard frog

Rana pipiens

REPTILES

'Northern plateau lizard

Sce/oporus undulatus elongatus
*Great Basin sagebrush lizard

Sce/oporus graciosus graciosus
*Northern side-blotched lizard

Uta stansburiana uniformis
Mountain short-horned lizard

Phrynosoma douglassi
'Northern whiptail

Cnemidophorus tigris septentrional is
'Wandering garter snake

Thamnophis elegans vagrans
'Western blue racer

Coluber constrictor mormon
Desert striped whipsnake

Masticophis taenia tus
'Great Basin gopher snake

Pituophis eaten ifer deserticola
Plateau night snake

Hypsiglena torquata
'Rattlesnake

Cro talus viridis

APPENDIX E

POTENTIAL SURFACE DISTURBANCE DUE TO
MONITORING ACTIVITIES

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

0 - Bare ground

S - Sagebrush

G - Greasewood

J - Juniper

Sh - Shadscale

R - Riparian

Sb - Saltbrush

Br - Grasses

Rb - Rabbitbrush

RT - Russian Thistle

AIR AND METEOROLOGY MONITORING SITES

Area

Area To Be

Time To

Estimated

Vegetative

Disturbed

Rehabilitated

Recover

Net Loss

Sites

Type

(Sq. Meters)

(Sq. Meters)

(Years)

(Sq. Meters)

A-1 and

Access Road

S-G

250

250

5-8

30

A-2 and

Access Road

S-Sb

4,650

4,650

5-8

250

A-3 and

Access Road

S-Gr

430

430

5-8

20

A-4 and

Access Road

S-Sb

130

130

5-8

10

A-5 and

Access Road

R

180

180

5-8

10

A-6

S-Sb

150

150

5-8

15

A-7

S-G

130

130

8-11

10

A-8

S-G

130

130

5-8

10

A-9

S-G

10

10

5-8

0

A-10and

Access Road

R

70

70

2-5

10

A-11

S-Rb

70

70

5-8

10

A-12

G-Rb

160

160

5-8

10

CORE HOLE SITES

Sites
X-1

Vegetative
Type

S-G

Area
Disturbed
(Sq. Meters)

0

Area To Be
Rehabilitated
(Sq. Meters)

0

Time To
Recover
(Years)

5-8

Estimated
Net Loss
(Sq. Meters)

0

X-2

S-G

900

900

5-8

20

X-2

Access Road

S-G

—

All

5-8

0

X-3

S-G

1,400

1,400

5-8

100

X-4

RT

—

All

5-8

0

X-5

S-J

1,200

1,200

5-8

0

X-6

S-Sb

1,600

1,600

10

150

X-8

S-J

900

900

5-10

75

X-9

S-G

1,200

1,200

5-8

80

X-9

Access Road

S-G

6,000

6,000

5-8

500

X-10

S-Gr

1,200

1,200

5-8

80

X-10

Access Road

S-Gr

1,500

1,500

5-8

100

X-11

S-G

1,200

1,200

5-8

70

GROUND WATER MONITORING SITES

Area

Area To Be

Time To

Estimated

Vegetative

Disturbed

Rehabilitated

Recover

Net Loss

Sites

Type

(Sq. Meters)

(Sq. Meters)

(Years)

(Sq. Meters)

G-1

S-G

700

700

5-8

40

G-2

S-G

1,800

1,800

5-8

100

*G-3&G-21

S

1,500

1,500

-1

75

G-4&G-15

and Access

Road

S-G

1,400

1,400

5-8

50

*G-S

RT

-

-

1

0

G-6&G-19

S-G

3,000

3,000

5-8

150

G-7

S-J

1,200

1,200

5-8

100

G-8&G-9

RT

3,000

3,000

1

200

G-10

J-Sb

1,600

1,600

1-3

100

G-11 &G-22

S-G

2,000

2,000

5-8

100

G-12

S-G

500

0

0

500

G-13&G-20

R

1,600

1,600

5-10

0

G-16

R

500

500

5-10

30

G-14&G-18

R

1,600

1,600

5-10

150

G-17

S-G

0

0

0

0

Existing Disturbed Area.

PILOT TEST SITES

Area Area To Be Time To Estimated

Vegetative Disturbed Rehabilitated Recover Net Loss

Sites Type (Sq. Meters) (Sq. Meters) (Years) (Sq. Meters)

P-1 S-G 10,000 10,000 5-8 Unknown

P-2 S-G 10,000 10,000 5-8 Unknown

P-3 S 10,000 10,000 5-8 Unknown

P-4 S-Sb 9,000 9,000 5-8 Unknown

SURFACE WATER MONITORING SITES

Sites

Vegetative
Type

Area

Disturbed

(Sq. Meters)

Area To Be

Rehabilitated

(Sq. Meters)

Time To
Recover
(Years)

Estimated

Net Loss

(Sq. Meters)

S-1

0

0

0

0

0

S-2

0

0

0

0

0

S-2

Access Road

S-G

600

600

5-8

20

S-3

R

20

20

2-5

0

S-3

Access Road

R

15

15

2-5

3

S-4

R

50

50

2-3

0

S-5

R

0

0

0

0

S-5

Access Road

0

0

0

0

0

S-6

R

2

2

2-3

0

S-7

R

3

3

2-3

0

S-7

R &S-G

750

750

5-8

40

S-8

S-G

30

30

2-5

4

S-8
Access Road

0

0

0

0

0

S-9

R

4

4

5-8

0

S-9
Access Road

0

0

0

0

0

S-10

0

0

0

0

0

S-10
Access Road

0

0

0

0

0

S-11

R

0

0

0

0

S-1 1

Access Road

R

600

600

5-8

20

S-11
Cable Way

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20

APPENDIX F

ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE IMPACTS RELATED TO FIELD
MONITORING SITES, TRACTS U-a AND U-b

INTRODUCTION

The monitoring program by necessity involves the removal of some vegetation and animal
habitat due to construction of monitoring sites and access roads. From observations of
abandoned drill holes and their dates of drilling, rehabilitation of the disturbed areas will
take five to eight years. As long as the sites remain barren, they will be avoided by wildlife.
This statement is based on the premise that wildlife will avoid an area frequented by people
and which provides no cover or primary production. The extent of these impacts varies, of
course, with the amount of vegetation removed. The degree and nature of the impacts on
wildlife are discussed below.

IMPACTS

Surface Water Stations (S- 1 through S-15)

There are 14 surface water quality monitoring stations. Five of these are located on the
White River, four on Evacuation Creek, two on Asphalt Wash, one in Southam Canyon, one
in Hells Hole Canyon, and one approximately two miles south and one mile east of Thimble
Rock. Direct observations of wildlife at each of these stations are tabulated in the attached
matrix.

The extent of the impacts to wildlife of these surface water quality stations is limited to the
amount of access road built, since the construction of the stations themselves invariably
results in a negligible vegetation loss. The stations are not large enough to affect wildlife.
The stations which required road construction were S-1, S-2, S-7, S-11 and S-15. Road
lengths vary from a few meters to 300 meters at S-15. The only significant impacts of road
construction on wildlife are the vegetation loss and the destruction of rodent and rabbit
burrows. Most animal species are mobile enough to avoid construction activity. Any
displaced animals are subject to predation, starvation, or exposure if all the existing niches
of the surrounding area are already filled. Thp magnitude of this loss is so small that no
disturbance should be experienced in the ecosystem.

Pilot Test Holes (P-1 through P-4)

Construction of the four pilot test hole stations resulted in the greatest vegetation loss on
the tracts. As much as three acres were disturbed at each station. The wildlife species which
may be affected are tabulated in the attached matrix. The extent of wildlife impact will be
similar to that resulting from construction of access roads to the surface water quality
stations (described above). Another comparative measure of the probable wildlife loss at
each site can be made from the percent of vegetal cover removed. Greater cover in a given
vegetation type up to a certain maximum supports higher numbers of wildlife.

Groundwater Stations (G-1 through G-22)

Construction of the ground water stations affected those wildlife species tabulated in the
attached matrix. The impacts are similar to those associated with the pilot test holes.
Impacts should not be as great, since the vegetation removal involves only half the area of
the pilot test holes.

Exploration Core Holes (X-1 through X-11)

Wildlife species affected by these drilling operations are tabulated in the attached matrix.
The impacts are the same as those described for the ground water stations but with about
half the magnitude of the pilot test hole site impacts.

Air Quality Monitoring Stations (A-1 through A- 12)

There are four types of air quality-meteorology stations. The vegetation removal in most
instances was less than that required for ground water stations. The wildlife species which
are found around each proposed station are tabulated on the attached matrix. Because the
towers associated with stations are metal, they are avoided by raptors, which show a decided
preference for wood. The wood pole power distribution lines leading to the air stations are
designed and constructed in accordance with REA Bulletin 61-10 (Powerline Contacts by
Eagles and other Large Birds) or guidelines superseding it.

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LEGEND

ACCESS ROUTE

(3 A AIR MONITORING SITE (12)

(2,6) COMPLETE AIR QUALITY & METEOROLOGY STATION WITH 100' TOWER

(3) COMPLETE AIR QUALITY ft PARTIAL METEOROLOGY STATION

(1,4,5,7,8) PARTIAL AIR QUALITY & PARTIAL METEOROLOGY STATION

(9,10,11,12) PARTIAL METEOROLOGY STATION
• S SURFACE WATER MONITORING STATION (14)

©P PILOT TEST HOLE (4)

0G GROUND WATER MONITORING STATION (21)

©HE EXISTING GEOLOGIC CORE HOLE , EVACUATION (3)
0HS EXISTING GEOLOGIC CORE HOLE , SOUTHAM (4)
©X EXPLORATION GEOLOGIC CORE HOLE (9)

— W WILDLIFE SAMPLING AREA (12)

[IJV VEGETATION STUDY AREA (20)

G GREASEWOOD

J JUNIPER

R RIPARIAN

S SALT BUSH
■ PP PHOTO PLOT (20)
[JF AQUATIC BIOLOGY SAMPLING STATION (5)

FIGURE 3

1000 2000 3000 1000 5000 6000 7000 FEET

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REVISIONS

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6875 EAST EVANS AVENUE DENVER, COLORADO 80222 (303) 759-427I

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AND THE WHITE RIVER SHALE OIL COMPANY

FIELD MONITORING SITES

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