Despite the survey effort and the presence of marginal plover habitat, no plovers were
documented during the baseline survey period. Regardless, all survey results will be included in
the Wildlife Baseline Report.
7.13 ANIMAL SPECIES OF CONCERN
Animal species of concern include those on federal threatened and endangered lists, as well as
others monitored by the WGFD. Current lists for those species were obtained prior to the
baseline surveys. Personnel have and will continue to watch for species of concern and habitats
that could support them during all site visits. Any sightings will be recorded and included in the
baseline report. Due to the block clearance for black-footed ferrets (
Mustela nigripes
) in black-
tailed prairie dog colonies throughout Wyoming, no surveys for this species will be conducted.
7.14 CULTURAL
For the project area, an initial Class I file search will be conducted to assist with Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1996 (as amended), for the un-inventoried
lands within the project area. The file search will identify any cultural inventories conducted
within the project area, and identify cultural sites, if present. A report will be filed in a separate,
properly labeled three-ring binder, and submitted to the State of Wyoming State Historical
Preservation Office (SHPO). The WDEQ/LQD Guideline No. 11 mirrors the overarching federal
requirements for inventory, evaluating eligibility, and addressing adverse impacts.
Once the Class I file search is completed, a Class III cultural survey may be conducted by a
third party contractor. Cultural resources will be reviewed upon receipt of a work plan identifying
site-specific locations of project activities, in accordance with the Programmatic Agreement with
the Wyoming SHPO. Site recording procedures include photographs, site maps, shovel probe
testing, photographs of artifacts, and detailed notes on artifact assemblage. A GPS unit will be
used to gather coordinates and datum for mapping procedures. Datum markers may consist of
a piece of small (less than one-inch) pipe or conduit buried in the ground with an attached
aluminum tag. Ultimately, any identified eligible or unevaluated cultural resource sites (historic
or pre-historic) will be avoided by all project activities.
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