Biological Resources

Fish surveys were conducted in order to determine the presence of absence of the Gila chub, as well as other native fishes within portions of Devils Canyon and upper Mineral Creek, and within two stock tanks in the vicinity of the Project. The Gila chub is listed by USFWS as endangered with critical habitat under the ESA.

The Research Ranch, near Elgin in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, is administered by the National Audubon Society. It consists of about 8000 acres of federal and private lands that are managed for ecosystem research projects by the National Audubon Society, which has cooperative agreements with the federal land management agencies. This summary of the early history of land settlement of the Research Ranch area and some of the subsequent land transactions is taken primarily from information in the land records of the BLM and ASLD.

Arizona hedgehog cactus survey was conducted along areas proposed for pre-feasibility activities.

List of mammals [confirmed by observation or sign; suspected, but not confirmed; resident, common; occasional].

Reptile and amphibian survey was conducted on the approximately 1,224-hectare Federal Parcel.

A bat survey was conducted on the approximately 1,224-hectare Federal Parcel, in the Tonto National Forest. The purpose of this survey was to determine which bat species could be confirmed present on Parcel.

Arizona hedgehog cactus survey was conducted on the approximately 1,224-hectare Federal Parcel. The parcel is on the Tonto National Forest east of the Town of Superior. Resolution proposes to obtain the Parcel by way of a land exchange.

A raptor survey was conducted on the approximately 1,224-hectare Federal Parcel, in the Tonto National Forest. The purpose of this survey was to determine which raptor species could be confirmed on the Parcel.

This report summarizes the biological resources of one parcel of U.S. Forest Service land (the Federal Parcel) and five privately owned parcels (the Offered Lands). The work was conducted in anticipation of a possible land exchange.

This report compares the floodplain and wetlands inventories for five offered lands ("Non-Federal Parcels") to the "Federal Parcel". The Non-Federal Parcels are: JX Ranch, Appleton Ranch, LX Bar Ranch, 6L Ranch, 7B Ranch. The Federal Parcel is also known as the Resolution Parcel, and will be so referenced in this report.