Common use of Wildlife Clause in Contracts

Wildlife. ‌ The flat to rolling xxxxx uplands, dunes and desert grassland support a variety of wildlife adapted to arid ecoregions. Due to the lack of perennial and intermittent natural surface waters, the discussion below is limited to terrestrial fauna. The sand shinnery prairies, dunelands, and shrublands historically supported bison (Bison bison), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), gray wolf (Canis lupus), and mountain lion (Puma concolor), but currently support mammals with broad ranges and distributions including bobcats (Lynx xxxxx), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (O. virginianus), coyote (Canis latrans), swift fox (Vulpes velox), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), badger (Taxidea taxus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), ground squirrel (Spermophilus spp.), and other smaller rodent species (Xxxxxxxxx et al. 2007; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998; Xxxxx et al. 2011). The shinnery shrublands, and mid- and shortgrass prairie support a variety of game birds including scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), mourning doves (Xxxxxxx macroura), and lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), though current known distribution of the lesser prairie-chicken is out of and north of the Covered Area (eBird 2020; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998). Commonly encountered migratory and resident songbirds, perching birds, and predatory birds include pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), oriole species (Icterus spp.), sparrows, western kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis), scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus), ravens (Corvus corax), and lesser nighthawks (Chordeiles acutipennis). Common predatory birds include loggerhead shrike (Xxxxxx ludovicianus), curve-billed xxxxxxxx (Toxostoma curvirostre), the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), Swainsons hawk (B. swainsoni), red-tailed hawk (B. jamaicensis), northern harrier (Circus hudsonius), Xxxxxx’x xxxx (Parabuteo unicinctus), borrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), barn owl (Tyto alba), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), and black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Several reptile and amphibian species may be found in the High Plains ecoregion but the Covered Species is part of an assemblage of the following most commonly encountered lizards: marbled whiptail (Aspidoscelis marmorata), common spotted whiptail (A. gularis), six-lined racerunner (A. sexlineata), side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus), leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), common lesser earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata), Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), roundtail horned lizard (P. modestum), and Great Plains skink (Plestiodon obsoletus) (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011). There may be as many as 25 species of snakes in the High Plains sand shinnery vegetation communities, but commonly encountered species include the coachwhip (Coluber flagellum), bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer) , plains hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus), gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer), western massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), and night snake (Hypsiglena torquata) (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998). Ornate box turtles are also common (Terrapene ornata) and arid adapted amphibians including the red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus), Texas toad (A. speciosus), spadefoot toads (Spea spp.), and tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) may be seen during precipitation events or near perennial water sources such as stock ponds and cattle tanks (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998; [SWCA X. Xxxxxxxxx pers. obs.])

Wildlife. ‌ The flat to rolling xxxxx uplands, dunes and desert grassland support NGPC tract hosts a variety of wildlife adapted to arid ecoregionsresident and migratory wildlife, both game and non-game species. Due to Species composition reflects the lack of perennial and intermittent natural surface watershabitat composition, the discussion below is limited to terrestrial fauna. The sand shinnery prairies, dunelandshabitat conditions, and shrublands historically supported bison (Bison bison), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), gray wolf (Canis lupus), season of the year. Common game species located on and mountain lion (Puma concolor), but currently support mammals with broad ranges and distributions including bobcats (Lynx xxxxx), around the area include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (O. Odocoileus virginianus), Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), mourning dove (Xxxxxxx macroura) and sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus). Non-game species commonly located on or in the vicinity of the area include coyote (Canis latrans), swift fox (Vulpes velox), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), American badger (Taxidea taxus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus spp.tridecemlineatus), and other smaller rodent species plains pocket gopher (Xxxxxxxxx et al. 2007; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998; Xxxxx et al. 2011). The shinnery shrublands, and mid- and shortgrass prairie support a variety of game birds including scaled quail (Callipepla squamataGeomys bursarius), bobwhite quail deer mouse (Colinus virginianusPeromyscus maniculatus), mourning doves prairie vole (Xxxxxxx macroura), and lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), though current known distribution of the lesser prairie-chicken is out of and north of the Covered Area (eBird 2020; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998). Commonly encountered migratory and resident songbirds, perching birds, and predatory birds include pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), oriole species (Icterus spp.), sparrows, western kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis), scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus), ravens (Corvus corax), and lesser nighthawks (Chordeiles acutipennis). Common predatory birds include loggerhead shrike (Xxxxxx ludovicianus), curve-billed xxxxxxxx (Toxostoma curvirostre), the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), Swainsons hawk (B. swainsoniMicrotis ochrogaster), red-tailed hawk (B. Buteo jamaicensis), northern harrier prairie falcon (Circus hudsoniusFalco mexicanus), Xxxxxx’x xxxx upland sandpiper (Parabuteo unicinctus), borrowing owl (Athene cuniculariaBartramia longicauda), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), barn owl western kingbird (Tyto albaTyrannus verticalis); eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), turkey vulture horned lark (Cathartes auraEremophila alpestris), xxxxxx xxxxxxx (Pooecetes gramineus), xxxx xxxxxxx (Chondestes grammacus), xxxx xxxxxxx (Calamospiza melanocorys), xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx (Passerculus sandwichensis), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivous), western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), and black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Several reptile and amphibian species may be found in the High Plains ecoregion but the Covered Species is part of an assemblage of the following most commonly encountered lizards: marbled whiptail (Aspidoscelis marmorata), common spotted whiptail (A. gularis), six-lined racerunner (A. sexlineata), side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus), leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), common lesser earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata), Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), roundtail horned lizard (P. modestum), and Great Plains skink (Plestiodon obsoletus) (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011). There may be as many as 25 species of snakes in the High Plains sand shinnery vegetation communities, but commonly encountered species include the coachwhip (Coluber flagellum), bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer) , plains hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus), gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer), western massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). Cavity-dependent bird species in the pine forests and woodlands include, but are not limited to, black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapilla), red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), northern flicker (Colaptes chrysoides), mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) and eastern bluebird (Sicilia sialis). Fish and Other Aquatic Species‌ No aquatic habitats exist on the NGPC tract. Storm events occasionally produce ephemeral streams but they are not capable of sustaining aquatic life. Federally-listed and State Special Status Species‌ The following Federally-listed and State Special Status species may occur in Sioux County, Nebraska: Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis Threatened Threatened Least Tern Sterna antillarum Endangered Endangered Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Threatened & Critical Habitat Threatened Whooping Crane Grus Americana Endangered & Critical Habitat Endangered Pallid Xxxxxxxx Scaphirhynchus albus Endangered Endangered Ute Ladies'-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis Threatened Threatened Swift Fox Vulpes velox N/A Endangered There are records of swift fox within the vicinity of the NGPC tract, and night snake the habitat for this species exists in the area. During late spring and summer, northern long-eared bats (Hypsiglena torquataNLEB) roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both snags and living trees greater than or equal to 6-inch diameter breast height (Xxxxxxxxxx et aldbh), especially near wetlands. 2011; Xxxxxxxx Consequently, this species might occur in the project area. Otherwise, according to the Nebraska Conservation and Xxxx 1998Environmental Review Tool, there were no other reports of any of the threatened or endangered species listed above on the NGPC tract. Historic and Cultural Resources‌ NGPC consulted with the Nebraska Office of the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) regarding the potential for the existence of cultural, historical, and archaeological resources on the parcel NGPC currently owns. The SHPO responded that according to the Nebraska State Historical Society records, there are no currently identified cultural property associated on or near that parcel, and concluded that no historic properties would be affected by the exchange of this parcel with BELF (see Appendix B). Ornate box turtles Management and Use‌ NGPC has owned the property for over 50 years and during that time is has been used as agricultural or recreational land. Currently, however, it is not open for public recreational use or being actively managed. Its boundaries are not fenced or marked in any way and it is entirely surrounded by private land. No manmade structures or facilities occur on the tract. For many years, the tract has been leased to BELF for grazing via an annual verbal agreement. BELF PARCEL‌ Location, Topography, and Soils‌ The 15.09-acre BELF tract proposed for exchange is located approximately four miles north of Xxxxxxxx in Sioux County, Nebraska. The parcel lies in the S½SW¼ of Section 16, T32N, R56W, 6th P.M. Monroe Canyon Road, a paved two- lane highway, abuts the property along its northeast boundary. The parcel consists of gently rolling grassy hills and steep canyons in some areas. The soils that occur on the BELF tract include 6043 “Tassel-Ponderosa-Rock outcrop association” and 5143 “Xxxxxx-Tassel loamy very fine sands” (Fig. 9). Neither type is considered prime or unique farmland. Floodplains and Wetlands‌ Figure 9. Soils Map for the BELF Parcel Figure 10. Floodplains and Wetlands on BELF Parcel According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), no floodplain maps have been developed in the area of the BELF tract. A small segment of the western fork of the Monroe Creek passes through the southwest corner of the BELF tract. The nearby Monroe Canyon can experience inundation during large-scale precipitation events. These circumstances would also common be expected to occur to the western fork of Monroe Creek. These occurrences, however, rarely take place. According to the FWS National Wetland Inventory, this creek segment is defined as a “seasonally flooded, intermittent riverine streambed” (Terrapene ornataFig. 10). However, since the streambed is rarely filled, the conditions needed to support wetlands do not exist. Vegetation‌ The BELF tract currently supports a 50:50 grassland/pine forest mosaic. The grassland plant communities on both the NGPC and BELF properties are dominated by blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), little bluestem (Andropogan scoparius), needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), threadleaf sedge (Carexfil folia) and arid adapted amphibians including some purple three-awn (Aristida purpurea). Some of the red-spotted toad many native forb species include western wallflower (Anaxyrus punctatusErysimum asperum), Texas toad scarlet globe mallow (A. speciosusSphaeralcea coccinea), spadefoot toads scarlet gaura (Spea spp.Gaura coccinea), dotted gayfeather (Liatris punctate), and tiger salamanders shell-leaf penstemon (Ambystoma tigrinumPenstemon grand (florus). Skunkbrush sumac (Rhus trilobata) may be seen during precipitation events or near perennial water sources such as stock ponds and cattle tanks snowberry (Xxxxxxxxxx et alSymphocarpus occidentalis) patches are scattered across the open grasslands. 2011; Xxxxxxxx Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), fringed sage (Artemesia frigida), and Xxxx 1998; [SWCA X. Xxxxxxxxx persyucca (Yucca glauca) are also common. obsThe ponderosa pine woodland and forest communities on both properties support understories dominated by shade tolerant species including Kentucky bluegrass (Paa pratensis). Common woody species in the understory include juniper (Juniperus scopulorum and communis), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), skunkbrush sumac (Rhus trilobata), snowbeny (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), Oregon myrtle (Prunus americana) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii).])

Wildlife. ‌ The flat to rolling xxxxx uplands, dunes Both the NGPC and desert grassland support BELF tracts host a variety of wildlife adapted to arid ecoregionsresident and migratory wildlife, both game and non-game species. Due to Specific species composition reflects the lack of perennial and intermittent natural surface watershabitat composition, the discussion below is limited to terrestrial fauna. The sand shinnery prairies, dunelandshabitat conditions, and shrublands historically supported bison (Bison bison), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), gray wolf (Canis lupus), season of the year. Common game species located on and mountain lion (Puma concolor), but currently support mammals with broad ranges and distributions including bobcats (Lynx xxxxx), around the area include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (O. Odocoileus virginianus), Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), mourning dove (Xxxxxxx macroura) and sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus). Non-game species commonly located on or in the vicinity of the area include coyote (Canis latrans), swift fox (Vulpes velox), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), American badger (Taxidea taxus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus spp.tridecemlineatus), and other smaller rodent species plains pocket gopher (Xxxxxxxxx et al. 2007; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998; Xxxxx et al. 2011). The shinnery shrublands, and mid- and shortgrass prairie support a variety of game birds including scaled quail (Callipepla squamataGeomys bursarius), bobwhite quail deer mouse (Colinus virginianusPeromyscus maniculatus), mourning doves prairie vole (Xxxxxxx macroura), and lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), though current known distribution of the lesser prairie-chicken is out of and north of the Covered Area (eBird 2020; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998). Commonly encountered migratory and resident songbirds, perching birds, and predatory birds include pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), oriole species (Icterus spp.), sparrows, western kingbirds (Tyrannus verticalis), scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus), ravens (Corvus corax), and lesser nighthawks (Chordeiles acutipennis). Common predatory birds include loggerhead shrike (Xxxxxx ludovicianus), curve-billed xxxxxxxx (Toxostoma curvirostre), the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), Swainsons hawk (B. swainsoniMicrotis ochrogaster), red-tailed hawk (B. Buteo jamaicensis), northern harrier prairie falcon (Circus hudsoniusFalco mexicanus), Xxxxxx’x xxxx upland sandpiper (Parabuteo unicinctus), borrowing owl (Athene cuniculariaBartramia longicauda), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), barn owl western kingbird (Tyto albaTyrannus verticalis); eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), turkey vulture horned lark (Cathartes auraEremophila alpestris), xxxxxx xxxxxxx (Pooecetes gramineus), xxxx xxxxxxx (Chondestes grammacus), xxxx xxxxxxx (Calamospiza melanocorys), xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx (Passerculus sandwichensis), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivous), western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), and black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Several reptile and amphibian species may be found in the High Plains ecoregion but the Covered Species is part of an assemblage of the following most commonly encountered lizards: marbled whiptail (Aspidoscelis marmorata), common spotted whiptail (A. gularis), six-lined racerunner (A. sexlineata), side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus), leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), common lesser earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata), Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), roundtail horned lizard (P. modestum), and Great Plains skink (Plestiodon obsoletus) (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011). There may be as many as 25 species of snakes in the High Plains sand shinnery vegetation communities, but commonly encountered species include the coachwhip (Coluber flagellum), bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer) , plains hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus), gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer), western massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). Cavity-dependent bird species in the pine forests and woodlands include, and night snake but are not limited to, black-capped chickadee (Hypsiglena torquata) Poecile atricapilla), red-breasted nuthatch (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998Sitta canadensis). Ornate box turtles are also common , white-breasted nuthatch (Terrapene ornataSitta carolinensis), downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), northern flicker (Colaptes chrysoides), mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) and arid adapted amphibians including the red-spotted toad eastern bluebird (Anaxyrus punctatusSicilia sialis), Texas toad (A. speciosus), spadefoot toads (Spea spp.), and tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) may be seen during precipitation events or near perennial water sources such as stock ponds and cattle tanks (Xxxxxxxxxx et al. 2011; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx 1998; [SWCA X. Xxxxxxxxx pers. obs.])