creek may create a barrier to movement. Secondary impacts 

 to lions may occur from reductions of their prey species 

 (deer, beaver, rabbit, ground squirrels, etc.). Reduction 

 of these primary consumers may occur from habitat destruction 

 resulting in displacement and attrition, as well as hunting, 

 trapping and poisoning. In addition, mortality from moun- 

 tain lion hunting would probably increase. 



Furbearers and Predators 



Furbearers and predators will experience habitat losses 

 from construction of all mine facilities. Water withdrawals 

 from Stanley Creek (or ground water which feeds Stanley 

 Creek) for utilization in the mining operation may reduce 

 flows in the creek and have an adverse effect upon beaver, 

 muskrat, otter and other mammals using these watercourses. 

 In addition, pollution of Stanley Creek or Lake Creek as a 

 result of seepage or erosion from the tailing impoundment or 

 a break in the slurry tailing pipeline could cause direct 

 mortality to furbearers or indirect losses through damage to 

 food sources . 



Small Mammals 



Small mammals are a diverse group of species playing 

 an important role at the base of the food web. Alteration 

 of their habitat may have far reaching impacts upon the 

 variety of predators which rely upon them for survival. The 

 14 small mammal species observed during this study all ex- 

 hibit small home ranges. They live out their lives within 

 the limited confines of these ranges and are, therefore, sub- 

 ject to direct mortality if they occur at mine facilities 

 sites. 



Waterfowl 



Waterfowl which utilize Stanley Creek and Lake Creek 

 (below its confluence with Stanley Creek) may suffer adverse 

 impacts if the safety features designed for the slurry pipe- 

 line or tailing impoundment fail and pollution of these 

 drainages results. Waterfowl which use Stanley Creek will 

 likely be displaced during the construction of the mine road, 

 pipeline and transmission line. A pond on the tailing im- 

 poundment site was used by mallards, common goldeneye (brood 

 of 7), green-winged teal and blue-winged teal. These species 

 as well as others which may use the pond will be displaced 

 and this area permanently lost with regard to its feeding 

 and brood rearing capabilities. The tailing pond is not 

 likely to receive waterfowl use because natural shoreline 

 habitat will not be present. Residues from reagents and the 

 tailing deposition process would preempt future production of 

 macroinvertebrates (important waterfowl food) or aquatic 

 vegetation (important waterfowl food and cover) . 



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