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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.12 Wildlife & Vegetative Impact Analysis.pdf826 21 ½ Road | Grand Junction, CO 81505 | TEL 970.263.7800 | FAX 970.263.7456 Wildlife & Vegetative Impact Analysis Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc Divide Road Produced Water Treatment Facility OA Project No. 012-0400 ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA) INC. DIVIDE ROAD WATER TREATMENT FACILITY Impact Analysis: Section 4-502 E (8) Environmental Effects Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution 2008 Cover Photo: Current conditions at the proposed Divide Road Water Treatment Facility site. Prepared for: Encana Oil & Gas Inc. Prepared by: WestWater Engineering 2516 Foresight Circle #1 Grand Junction, CO. April 2012 WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 10 April 2012 INTRODUCTION At the request of Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (Encana), WestWater Engineering (WWE) biologists conducted field surveys and assessments of wildlife, wildlife habitats, and sensitive plant species at the proposed Divide Road Water Treatment Facility site (Figure 1). This document reports the results and analysis of the findings that are pertinent to Garfield County Land Use regulations (2008) that apply to this project. The site is located on private lands approximately 16 miles northwest of Parachute, CO in Section 26, Township 4 South, Range 96 West, 6th Principal Meridian. The elevation is approximately 8,200 feet. The site is accessed via Garfield County Road 215 to Encana’s North Parachute Ranch gate, and then a private road system (Figure 1). SURVEY METHODS A preliminary review of the project area using aerial photographs was conducted to familiarize biologists with the project area and as an aid to help determine the potential presence of wildlife and any threatened, endangered, or sensitive animal or plant species. Field data collected during the survey were documented and/or recorded with the aid of a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver utilizing NAD83 map datum, with all coordinate locations based on the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system in Zone 12. WWE biologists conducted pedestrian surveys of the area on April 3, 2012 to locate and identify wildlife species, wildlife sign, wildlife habitats, and vegetative communities. Vegetation types were determined through field identification of plants, aerial photography, and on-the-ground assessments of the plant community. Visual searches for raptors and other bird species nests focused on aspen woodlands and mature Gambel oak within 0.25-miles of the project site. Nest searches and bird identification were aided with the use of binoculars. Data from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS) was used to determine important wildlife areas. Noxious weed surveys were conducted within 100 feet of the project site. SECTION 4-502 E. -ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. Waters of the U.S. (WoUS) include wetlands and drainages under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams and drainages are considered WoUS if they exhibit evidence of flow (i.e. ordinary high water mark) and are hydrologically connected to a perennial stream. In addition to hydrology, a jurisdictional wetland will also demonstrate the unique soil and vegetation characteristics that result from inundation or saturation. The proposed project site is located on a ridge-top extending south from the Parachute Creek/Piceance Creek Divide (Figure 1). U.S. Geological Survey mapping indicates that no potential WoUS cross the project area and no drainages exhibiting an ordinary high water mark were observed. WWE biologists determined that no jurisdictional wetlands or drainages would be affected by the project. WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 10 April 2012 VEGETATION The site is located on a ridge-top in the upper elevations of the Roan Plateau. Native vegetation surrounding the site is consistent with sagebrush communities, mountain shrub, and aspen woodlands found throughout the region. Native plants near the site are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Common plant species observed near the site. Plant Species Within 100 Feet of the Site Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) Astragalus sp. (Astragalus spp.) Needlegrass (Achnatherum spp.) Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) Bluegrass (Poa spp.) Creeping barberry (Mahonia repens) Serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) Larkspur (Delphenium spp.) Snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus) Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) Sulfur flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Additional Common Plant Species Expected Within 0.25 Miles of the Site Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Penstemon sp. (Penstemon spp.) Smooth brome (Bromus intermis) Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) Ceanothus (Ceanothus fendleri) Wavy-leaf thistle (Cirsium undulatum) Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) White sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana) Wax currant (Ribes cereum) Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii) Mutton grass (Poa fendleriana) Yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive Plant Species An inspection of soils and terrain at the project site, experience from previous WWE surveys, and review of the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide (Spackman et. al. 1997) indicated that no sensitive plant species would be expected near the site. Noxious Weeds Scattered cheatgrass (State C list—Bromus tectorum) was observed on the project site. Noxious weed surveys did not detect any Garfield County listed noxious weed species. Surveys were conducted on April 3, 2012, which is outside the active growing season for most plants in the project area including most noxious weeds. Commonly observed noxious weeds in the geographical area that are most likely to invade the site include common mullein, houndstongue, musk thistle, and spotted knapweed. WILDLIFE Threatened & Endangered Wildlife Greater Sage-Grouse is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act and occurs in sagebrush habitat on the Roan Plateau. The proposed project occurs in occupied sage-grouse WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 10 April 2012 habitat within a mapped sage-grouse production area (NDIS 2012) (Figure 2). NDIS defines a sage-grouse production area as, “an area that would include the majority of important sage grouse nesting habitat.” Lek sites (breeding/strutting grounds) are important features in sage-grouse habitat. Research by CPW indicates that approximately 80 percent of sage-grouse nesting takes place in suitable habitats within 4-miles of the lek on which they were bred (Colorado Greater Sage-grouse Steering Committee 2008). There are 10 known leks within 4-miles of the site, of which three are considered active. The active leks are Stewart Gulch, Cutoff Gulch Point, and Bragg Spring Leks. No other threatened, endangered, or candidate species listed under the Endangered Species Act would be affected by the project. Raptors At least twelve raptor species would be expected to nest, reside, forage, or pass through the general project area and are listed in Table 2. The most common raptor species observed in the area include American Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawk. Table 2. Raptor species that may be present in the project area. Common Name Scientific Name BCC* American Kestrel Falco sparverius No Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii No Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus No Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Yes Flammulated Owl Otus flameolus Yes Long-eared Owl Asio otus No Northern Goshawk§ Accipiter gentilis No Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus No Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus No Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis No Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus No Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsonii No * BCC=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bird of Conservation Concern (FWS 2008). § BLM Sensitive Species No raptor nests were observed during the survey on April 3, 2012. The vegetation within the surveyed area is composed of sagebrush and mountain shrub communities interspersed with stands of mature Gambel oak and aspen woodlands. Approximately 27.1 acres of suitable raptor nesting habitat exists within 0.25 miles of the site (Figure 1). Extensive raptor nest surveys have been conducted in and near the project area by WWE since 2007, and no raptor nests have been discovered within 0.25-mile of the site. Migratory, Non-migratory, and Birds of Conservation Concern (other than raptors) WWE biologists conducted pedestrian surveys and reviewed existing literature to determine the potential for the presence of any bird species that could potentially be affected by the project. Particular attention was given to identifying birds that are listed as sensitive by the Bureau of WestWater Engineering Page 4 of 10 April 2012 Land Management (BLM 2009), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Birds of Conservation Concern (BBC) are species listed by the FWS that are priorities for conservation action (FWS 2008). The goal is to prevent or remove the need to list additional species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by implementing proactive management and conservation actions. Species with potential to occur in the project area are listed in Table 3. Table 3. BLM sensitive species, BCC, and state species of concern that may occur within project area. Species Common Name Species Scientific Name Status Habitat Description Potential to Occur Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri BCC BLM Inhabits sagebrush dominated shrublands and typically are found in habitat that supports sage sparrows. Nesting is likely in sagebrush shrublands in the project area. Cassin’s Finch Carpodacus cassinii BCC Occasionally occurs in Gambel oak and aspen woodlands. Nesting is possible in Gambel oak and aspen near the project area. * BCC=Bird of Conservation Concern; BLM = BLM Sensitive Species. FWS guidelines recommend a 100 foot buffer around proposed developments for the protection of nesting migratory birds, excluding raptors. The aspen woodlands, sagebrush, and mountain shrublands in the area surrounding the project site provide nesting and foraging habitat for various migratory and non-migratory bird species, depending on the season of the year (Andrews & Righter 1992). American Elk and Mule Deer Elk and mule deer utilize the summer range extensively on the Roan Plateau. Mule deer rely on forbs and shrubs to meet the majority of their nutritional requirements, while elk rely more on grasses. Adjacent areas of aspen and mountain shrub provide necessary forage and production areas as well as escape, thermal, and loafing cover for both species during the summer. The site is located in CPW Game Management Unit (GMU) 32. The project area is within NDIS mapped mule deer and American elk overall range. The site is within 373 feet of a mapped elk production area and is approximately 0.94 miles from an elk winter concentration area (Figure 3) (NDIS 2012). The area provides valuable habitat for big game for much of the year. Black Bear and Mountain Lion NDIS mapping shows the site to be within overall range for black bear and mountain lion (NDIS 2012). There is plentiful forage nearby and black bears frequent the area. Black bears are omnivorous and the diet depends largely on what kinds of food are seasonally available, although their mainstay is vegetation. In spring, emerging grasses and succulent forbs are favored. In summer and early fall, bears take advantage of a variety of berries and other fruits. In late fall, preferences are for berries and mast (acorns), where available. Black bear generally hibernate from mid-November through May. WestWater Engineering Page 5 of 10 April 2012 Mountain lion typically follow migrating deer herds, which provide their primary food source. Lions tend to have large territories and are highly mobile as they search for food or new territories. This species likely inhabits the project area primarily during summer months. The project area is not mapped by CPW as a potential mountain lion conflict area. Small Mammals The area may provide foraging habitat for two BLM sensitive bat species, fringed myotis (Myotis thysanoides) and spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) (BLM 2009) although no potential roost sites were identified. Common small mammal species in the project area include black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), coyote (Canis latrans), golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis), mountain cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii), northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides), least chipmunk (Tamias minimus), and a multitude of rodent species. Reptiles Western terrestrial garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) have previously been observed in the vicinity of the project area. This species is common on the Roan Plateau and is typically observed around creeks and ponds but can be found far from water. Smooth green snakes (Liochlorophis vernalis) were not observed during surveys, but are known to occur on the Roan Plateau (Hammerson 1999) and have been observed at similar elevations on Old Mountain by WWE biologists. Short-horned lizards (Phrynosoma hernandesi) are fairly abundant in sagebrush habitats. These species do not have any special protection by CPW or FWS. Amphibians Since there are no permanent water sources near the site no amphibian species are expected to occupy the area and none would be potentially affected. SECTION 4-502 (8) (a) Determination of Long and Short-term Effects on Flora and Fauna FLORA Approximately 11.76 acres of native vegetation will be removed for construction. No TESS plants would be affected. Implementation of Encana’s integrated vegetation management plan (WWE 2009) would reduce the effects of disturbance to the project site. FAUNA Greater Sage-Grouse Approximately 11.76 acres of sagebrush habitat within an NDIS mapped sage-grouse production area would be removed by development of the water treatment facility. An increase in vehicle traffic could result in mortality due to collisions (road-kill). Certain features of the water treatment facility could provide hunting perches for raptors that could contribute to an increase in sage-grouse mortality. Open water in the pits may attract sage-grouse that perceive the pits as a watering source if the pits are not properly enclosed. WestWater Engineering Page 6 of 10 April 2012 Raptors No raptor nesting habitat is directly affected. There is a possibility for long or short-term effects related to increased human presence and activity associated with construction and operation of a water treatment facility. American Elk and Mule Deer Approximately 11.76 acres of vegetation removal will reduce available foraging habitat for big game. Human presence and activity may affect animal distribution. Some chemicals on the site may be toxic to wildlife including big-game. Open pits containing fluids could pose a drowning risk if not properly fenced and escape ramps provided in conjunction with proper sloping. Black Bear and Mountain Lion A small amount of serviceberry and Gambel oak will be removed by development of the site, minimally reducing the amount of available forage for black bears. Human presence and activity may affect animal distribution. Potential encounters of black bear with construction personnel could occur if garbage or food is available to resident bears and incidences of human-black bear interactions sometimes result in the euthanasia of offending bears by the CPW. Open pits containing fluids could pose a drowning risk if not properly fenced and escape ramps provided in conjunction with proper sloping. Mountain lion would be minimally affected. Small Mammals, Birds (BCC), and Reptiles Habitat loss to these species is approximately 11.76 acres. Human presence and activity may affect animal distribution. Some chemicals on the site may be toxic to wildlife, and open pits containing fluids could pose a drowning risk if not properly enclosed, with escape ramps and proper sloping provided, and other deterrents put in place. SECTION 4-502 (8) (c) (1) Determination of the effect on significant environmental resources--critical wildlife habitat Potential issues are outlined below. Creation of hazardous attractions: Wildlife may perceive the water treatment facility as a watering source and should be prevented from accessing the pits. These pits could create a drowning or entrapment hazard for birds and wildlife if sufficient barriers (fencing, netting) or deterrents are not included as part of the project, along with escape mechanisms including ramps and proper sloping. Some passerine bird species may choose to nest in or on equipment or objects at the water treatment facility. By closing or covering all ports, hatches, cavities, and openings (such as the ends of pipes) this potential is decreased. Most non-game bird species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712; Ch. 128; July 13, 1918; 40 Stat. 755) and tampering with occupied nests could be considered a “take” resulting in a violation. Indirect Construction Effects: Construction of the site introduces factors such as the presence of personnel and noise from equipment, which have potential to affect wildlife distribution and habitat use in a negative manner. WestWater Engineering Page 7 of 10 April 2012 Alteration of Existing Vegetation: Approximately 11.76 acres of native vegetation would be removed as a result of this project. Big Game Production Areas, Winter Range, and Migration Corridors: The proposed site is situated near an elk production area and mule deer and elk overall range. No specific deer or elk migration corridors are affected, though migration occurs through and around the site. Road-kill: Speed limits are 25 miles-per-hour or less on Encana property and most wildlife in the area have become habituated to vehicle traffic. The potential for road-kill for most species should be low, with the exception of small mammals, birds (including sage-grouse), and reptiles. Bird Nesting Habitat: Bird nesting habitat would be lost within the footprint of the water treatment facility, including nesting habitat for Brewer’s Sparrow and sage-grouse. REFERENCES Andrews, R., and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds: A Reference to Their Distribution and Habitat. Denver Museum of Natural History, Colorado. BLM. 2009. Bureau of Land Management State Director’s Sensitive Species List – Updated November 20, 2009. Lakewood. Colorado Greater Sage-grouse Steering Committee. 2008. Colorado greater sage-grouse conservation plan. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, Colorado, USA. FWS. 2008. Birds of Conservation Concern 2008. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Arlington, Virginia. Garfield County. 2008. Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution. Final Draft dated July 1, 2008. Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado, Second Edition. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver. NDIS. 2012. Natural Diversity Information Source—Colorado Parks and Wildlife. http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlife.asp. Accessed April 2012. Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spurrier. 1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide, Prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. WWE. 2009. Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.’s North Parachute Ranch (NPR) Integrated Vegetation Management Plan: Reclamation and Noxious Weed Control. Grand Junction, Colorado. WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 10 April 2012 D Suitable Raptor Habitat c::J Raptor Survey Area D Water Treatment Facility C] BLM Figure 1 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc Divide Road Water Treatment Facility Biological Survey 0 Location and Raptors ~\NestWater Engineering -:;J1 Consulting Engineers & Scientists 0.1 0.2 Miles 0.3 WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 10 April 2012 Legend Sage Grouse Production Area D Water Treatment Facility -County Road II Jl BLM Figure 2 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc Divide Road Water Treatment Facility Biological Survey Sage Grouse Production Area ~\NestWater Engineering -::;;; Consulting Engineers & Scientists 0 0.5 Miles WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 10 April 2012 I:ZI Elk Winter Concentration 0 Elk Production Area D Water Treatment Facility --County Road r===IJ BLM Figure 3 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc Divide Road Water Treatment Facility Biological Survey 0 Elk Activities ""'~estWater . Engineering -::;;J Consulting Eng meers & Scientists 0.5 Miles ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA) INC. DIVIDE ROAD WATER TREATMENT FACILITY Section 7-202 Protection of Wildlife Habitat Areas Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution 2008 Cover photo: Potential raptor nesting habitat near proposed project site. Prepared for: Encana Oil & Gas Inc. Prepared by: WestWater Engineering 2516 Foresight Circle #1 Grand Junction, CO. April 2012 WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 3 April 2012 WILDLIFE Raptors No occupied raptor nests have been documented near the site since intensive surveys began in the area in 2007. Activities associated with construction of the water treatment facility have minimal potential to impact raptor populations, as no nesting habitat will be directly affected. The nearest high-quality nesting habitat (aspen grove) occurs approximately 0.23 miles south of the project site. Construction and operation of the facility are likely to have little indirect affect on raptors that have become at least partially habituated to a significant amount of human activity in the area. Greater Sage-Grouse Sage-grouse occupy and potentially nest in the sagebrush habitat near the site, which is mapped as a sage-grouse production area (NDIS 2012). Construction during the nesting and broodrearing season (March through late-July) should be avoided if possible. If brush clearing can take place prior to nesting, the potential for sage-grouse to nest on the site would be reduced. Sage-grouse predators such as Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles could benefit from additional edge habitat and potential hunting perches created by the project, resulting in an increase in predation on sage-grouse. Deterrent devices should be used to prevent raptors from utilizing structures on the site as hunting perches. The potential for road-kill exists, although speed limits are low and signage warning drivers of the presence of sage-grouse is in place. American Elk and Mule Deer The proposed site is near, but not within, an elk production area. Elk in this area typically calve in aspen stands or dense mountain shrublands (serviceberry) from late-May through mid-June. The nearest potential calving areas are north of the project and are blocked from view by terrain features. Given the cumulative scale of ongoing activities along Divide Road, which would likely cause elk to select more remote areas for calving, it is unlikely that construction or operation of the facility will affect elk in the area. Approximately 11.76 acres of foraging habitat for big game will be lost as a result of construction of the water treatment facility. Implementation of Encana’s noxious weed management plan (WWE 2009) would promote continued health of the vegetation community in the area surrounding the development. A reclamation plan should be implemented to reduce the establishment of noxious weeds in disturbed areas. Reclamation of disturbed areas not utilized as part of the facilities would decrease the presence of noxious weeds and provide forage for mule deer and elk. Wildlife should be considered before any fencing is designed or built. Following wildlife friendly fencing standards reduces the costs of repairing fences damaged by wildlife, reduces the chance of mortality from animals becoming entangled in the fence, and allows for less restricted movements throughout an area. The CPW has published guidelines for fence construction that reduces impacts to wildlife (Hanophy 2009). The fence surrounding the pits associated with the water treatment facility should be such that wildlife cannot access the pits. Regularly spaced escape ramps and proper sloping would prevent mortality if any animal should accidentally become entrapped in the pits. WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 3 April 2012 Black Bear Black bear will likely be foraging in the habitat surrounding the project site, particularly when berries and acorns ripen. Personnel may be unfamiliar with wildlife in the area and should be informed of the potential for bear interactions. Personnel should not feed bears at any time. Bears should not be approached if encountered in the project area. All garbage and any food items should be removed from the site on a daily basis. The fence surrounding the pits associated with the water treatment facility should be such that wildlife cannot access the pits. Regularly spaced escape ramps and proper sloping would prevent mortality if any animal should accidentally become entrapped in the pits. Mitigation of Habitat Loss to Migratory Birds Approximately 11.76 acres of vegetation removal will occur as a result of construction of the water treatment facility. If vegetation removal can take place prior to nesting season (early May), these birds will choose to nest elsewhere and no nest would be directly affected. Implementation of Encana’s noxious weed management plan (WWE 2009) would promote continued health of the vegetation community in the area surrounding the development. A reclamation plan should be implemented to reduce the establishment of noxious weeds in disturbed areas. Reclamation of disturbed areas not utilized as part of the facilities would decrease the potential for infestation by noxious weeds and replace foraging habitat for birds. Small Mammals and Reptiles There are no seasonal limitations or special requirements for development related to these species. PRESERVATION OF NATIVE VEGETATION The best method to mitigate loss of wildlife habitat is to increase the availability of native forage in the form of grasses and shrubs by reseeding disturbed areas. Native grasses would provide the greatest benefit for wildlife. Application of Encana’s integrated vegetation management plan (WWE 2009) would provide a basis for appropriate mitigation. Treatment and Control of Noxious Weed Infestations The highest priority for noxious weed management is to prevent the establishment of any noxious weed infestation of the project site. Noxious weeds aggressively compete with native vegetation. Most have come from Europe or Asia, either accidentally or as ornamentals that have escaped. Once established they tend to spread quickly because the insects, diseases, and animals that normally control them are absent. Prevention is especially valuable in the case of noxious weed management. Noxious weeds are spread by man, animals, water, and wind. Prime locations for the establishment of noxious weeds include roadsides, construction sites, wetlands, riparian corridors, and areas that are overused by animals or humans. Subsequent to soil disturbances, vegetation communities can be susceptible to infestations of invasive or exotic weed species. Vegetation removal and soil disturbance during construction can create optimal conditions for the establishment of invasive, non-native species. Construction equipment traveling from weed WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 3 April 2012 infested areas into weed-free areas could disperse noxious or invasive weed seeds and propagates, resulting in the establishment of these weeds in previously weed-free areas. Several simple practices should be employed to prevent most weed infestations. The following practices should be adopted for any activity to reduce the costs of noxious weed control through prevention. The practices include: Prior to delivery to the site, equipment should be thoroughly cleaned of soils remaining from previous construction sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds. If working in sites with weed-seed contaminated soil, equipment should be cleaned of potentially seed-bearing soils and vegetative debris at the infested area prior to moving to uncontaminated terrain. All maintenance vehicles should be regularly cleaned of soil. Avoid driving vehicles through areas where weed infestations exist. REFERENCES Hanophy, W. 2009. Fencing with Wildlife in Mind. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Denver. Available online: http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/DOW/LandWater/PrivateLa ndProgra ms/DOWFencingWithWildlifeInMind.pdf NDIS. 2012. Natural Diversity Information Source—Colorado Parks and Wildlife. http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlife.asp. Accessed April 2012. WWE. 2009. Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.’s North Parachute Ranch (NPR) Integrated Vegetation Management Plan: Reclamation and Noxious Weed Control. Grand Junction, Colorado.