The wood frog {Rana sylvatiaa) was not observed during 

 this study period but was noted on the area by Stearns-Roger 



(1975) and constitutes a unique observation because this 

 species is not considered to be present in this area 



(Stebbins 1966). 



A total of nine species of herpetofauna have been docu- 

 mented on the study area to date and Flath (pers. coinin. ) 

 indicates that the very rare Coeur d'Alene salamander 

 (Plethodon vandykei) has been collected from the vicinity of 

 Lake Creek. Stebbins (1966) indicates that the leopard frog 

 (Rana pipiens) , western skunk {Evmeoes skiltonianus) , northern 

 alligator lizard ( Gevrhonotus coeruleus) , racer (Coluber constrictor) 

 and gopher snake ( Pituophis catenifer ) may also occur in this 

 area. 



ASSESSMENT OF WILDLIFE IMPACTS 



Comprehensive Review 



Developments impose a variety of inimical consequences 

 upon wildlife from a multitude of sources. Due to legal con- 

 straints, wildlife impact analysis is usually limited to the 

 construction and operation of a development; the secondary, 

 yet most serious, effect of expanding human population is 

 left unadvilressed. This study focused primarily on 

 mine related impacts. It did not address associated ancil- 

 lary developments, but it i_s necessary to at least identify 

 these factors. 



M ine Construction and Operation 



The Mount Vernon mine facilities include three general 

 components: the actual mine site complex, the utility cor- 

 ridor, and the tailing impoundment area (additional descrip- 

 tion and location of facilities are presented in Description 

 of Mine Development). Wildlife impacts generally refer to 

 one of the above three components. 



Direct and indirect wildlife mortality factors are in- 

 volved in mine construction and operation. Direct losses 

 include death of animals which do not have the capabilities 

 of long-ranged movement and are thus destroyed in the con- 

 struction phase. Another cause of direct mortality involves 

 wildlife/ore-hauling truck collisions. Most deaths are ac- 

 cidental although malicious destruction does occur (Colorado 

 Department of Wildlife, from Klimstra et al. 1979). 



Indirect wildlife attrition results from habitat de- 

 struction or deterioration which in turn affects the quantity 

 and quality of habitat. Food and cover will be reduced or 



72 



