ML19255E795

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Enclosure 2 - Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Tx
ML19255E795
Person / Time
Site: Consolidated Interim Storage Facility
Issue date: 10/25/2004
From:
Doug Reagan & Associates
To:
Consolidated Interim Storage Facility, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Waste Control Specialists
References
CAC 001028, E-55041, EPID L-2017-NEW-0002
Download: ML19255E795 (47)


Text

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Final Report Prepared by:

Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC Castle Rock, Colorado Prepared for:

Waste Control Specialists, LLC 25 October 2004 1

Section Title Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

Purpose:

............................................................................................................................................ 4 Methods:.......................................................................................................................................... 4 Results:............................................................................................................................................. 5 Vegetation Cover and Habitat...................................................................................................... 5 Wildlife........................................................................................................................................ 6 Rare species................................................................................................................................. 6 Summary:......................................................................................................................................... 7

References:

....................................................................................................................................... 7 LIST OF TABLES Table Title Page Table 1 - Sampling location data for 14 October 2004 survey....................................................... 8 Table 2 - Representative plant species observed during the October 2004 survey...................... 11 2

Figure Title Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 LIST OF FIGURES Page Drawing 1 -Habitat Survey Locations........................................................................................... 12 Figure 1 - Location #1 Looking Southwest, Approximately 3.5km West of the Site................... 13 Figure 2 - Location #2, Looking North.......................................................................................... 14 Figure 3 - Location #2, Looking Northwest.................................................................................. 15 Figure 4 - Location #3.................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 5 - Location #3, Looking North.......................................................................................... 17 Figure 6 - Location #3, Shinnery Oak........................................................................................... 18 Figure 7 - Location #3, Rabbitbrush.............................................................................................. 19 Figure 8 - Location #4, Looking Northwest..................................................................................20 Figure 9 - Location #4, Looking West...........................................................................................21 Figure 10 - Location #4, Looking West......................................................................................... 22 Figure 11 - Location #4, Gopher Mound.......................................................................................23 Figure 12 - Location #5, Looking West......................................................................................... 24 Figure 13 - Location #6, Looking West......................................................................................... 25 Figure 14 - Location #8, Looking East..........................................................................................26 Figure 15 - Location #9, Looking Northeast................................................................................. 27 Figure 16 - Location #10, Looking Northeast...............................................................................28 Figure 17 - Location #10, Looking West.......................................................................................29 Figure 18 - Location #10, Looking East........................................................................................ 30 Figure 19 - Location # 11, Hognosed Snake................................................................................... 31 Figure 20 - Location #11, Western hognose snake........................................................................ 32 Figure 21 - Location #11, Hognose Snake in Shin Oak................................................................ 33 Figure 22 - Location #12, Looking East........................................................................................ 34 Figure 23 - Location #12, Ant Hill................................................................................................ 35 Figure 24 - Location #13, Looking South, Approximately 4 km SW of the Site.......................... 36 Figure 25 - Location #14, Near Well and Pool.............................................................................. 37 Figure 26 - Location #14, Basidiomycete...................................................................................... 38 Figure 27 - Near Location #14....................................................................................................... 39 Figure 28 - Location #15, Looking Northwest..............................................................................40 Figure 29 - Location #16, Sandy Blowout habitat.........................................................................41 Figure 30 - Location #16, Possible Juvenile Sand Dune Lizard....................................................42 Figure 31 - Location #16, Sizing of Possible Sand Dune Lizard...................................................43 Figure 32 - Location # 16, S. undulatus.........................................................................................44 Figure 33 - Location #16, Looking Northwest..............................................................................45 Figure 34 - Location #17, Looking West.......................................................................................46 Figure 35 - Cow North ofRCRA Permit Boundary......................................................................47 3

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004

Purpose:

To conduct a survey of a study area defined as within a 5km radius of the proposed low level waste repository in Andrews County, Texas in order to:

Characterize the natural habitats present and their condition, Note the presence of wildlife species, and Perform focused surveys for the sand dune lizard (Sce/oporus arenico/us) and ascertain the availability of suitable habitat for this and other rare species.

Methods:

The survey visit was conducted on 14 October 2004 between the hours of 07:00 and 17:30.

Qualitative methods were used to characterize the ecosystems of the study area.

Representative sites within each major quadrant were established and characterized with respect to dominant vegetation components. No trees were present, but shrubs, forbs, and grasses and the height of each vegetation layer was recorded. The general topography and physiographic character of the area (e.g., stabilized dunes, active blowouts) and general observations on habitat condition and use (e.g., grazing, presence of structures and roads) were also noted.

The date, approximate time of day, and general weather conditions (e.g., wind velocity, cloudiness, and temperature) were recorded. Vegetation height and distance measurements were recorded in metric system, for consistency. The elevation (feet above MSL) and location at each location was taken, using a hand held Etrex Global Positioning System (GPS). At least one digital photograph was taken at each location, and camera orientation was recorded.

Specific habitats known to support rare species, such as the sand dune lizard (Sce/oporus arenico/us) were identified from topographic maps, recent aerial photography, and discussions with regional environmental personnel of WCS, who were familiar with the area. Stabilized dunes or active sand blowouts in areas of shinnery oak ( Quercus havardii) mixed with sand sage (Artemisia filifolia) are known to be critical to this species. All such areas within the study area were visited to document conditions and look for lizards. Although conditions were cool (55-70° F) during the October visit, many lizards were active. However, presence of habitat was deemed sufficient grounds not to rule out the possibility of species occurrence. Similar habitat in the vicinity of Eunice, New Mexico, only a few miles west of the site, had been documented as harboring populations of the species.

Observations of wildlife and wildlife sign were recorded at each site, and incidental observations between site locations were noted to document the presence of species in particular habitats 4

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 and locations within the study area. Because of recent heavy rains in the area, pools were present at locations north and south of site within the study area. These were noted and surveyed for evidence of wildlife use.

Results:

Eighteen sampling locations were established, characterized, and photographed within the study area during the survey. Table 1 summarizes the location, elevation, general habitat (including height of vegetation strata), and wildlife observed. Scientific names of plant species listed in the table and discussed in the text are presented in Table 2. Survey locations are shown in Figure 1.

Vegetation Cover and Habitat Vegetation cover within 5km of the site is dominated by shrubs and grasses. With the exception of the RCRA permit area surrounding the site, most of the area is grazed by cattle. Shinnery oak is present in areas north, south, and west of the site, but not to the east. Overgrazing indicator species, such as snakeweed and soapweed, and weedy grass and forb species are common throughout most areas surveyed.

Soils within the study area are dominated by sandy loams and sandy soils. Stabilized sand dunes and small blowouts occur west, north, northeast, south, and southeast of the site. None of these are within 1.5 km of the site. All of these dune areas are dominated by mesquite (generally 1 - 2 m), shinnery oak, and a combination of other shrub species, including sand sagebrush, soapweed (Yucca sp.), and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus pulchellus) (45 -80 cm)

(Figure 2). Mixed forbs and grasses comprise the understory. Some grass and forb species (e.g., sunflowers) attain heights up to 1 m, but these are not generally dominant. Much of the quadrant southwest of the site and outside the RCRA permit area boundary is dominated by grasses, but shinnery oak, mesquite, and soapweed are scattered throughout the area (Figure 3).

All areas visited suffer from some level of human-induced disturbance. Oil well pads, pipelines, transmission line corridors, gravel pits, and access roads are found throughout most portions of the study area. In spite of the surface disturbance, vegetation cover in much of the study area is relatively dense, probably due in part to the unseasonably heavy rainfall during the past several months. Bare soil areas are associated with surface disturbance, and many of these are sparsely vegetated with weedy invasive species such as Russian thistle (Sa/so/a iberica).

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Wildlife Incidental wildlife observations during the visit were made along roads and at sampling locations. Weather conditions during the visit were mostly sunny, breezy (wind speeds 5-15 mph), and temperatures were cool (55° - 70° F).

The mourning dove was the most abundant and widespread bird species observed. Other bird species included scaled quail, Chihuahuan raven, roadrunner, American kestrel, brown-headed cowbird, and savanna sparrow.

The only mammals observed or positively identified from sign were black-tailed jackrabbit, coyote, and gopher. Previous surveys have identified a variety of rodents (e.g., Ord's kangaroo rat, silky pocket mouse, deer mouse, northern grasshopper mouse, southern plains woodrat, and plains harvest mouse) (Ortega et al. 1997). Collared peccaries (Tayasu tajacu) were observed east of the site during the March 2004 survey, but the area was not visited during the October site visit. Rodent tracks were abundant, particularly in sandy areas, but species identification could not be made.

No evidence of amphibians was found at the ephemeral pools located north and south of the site. Reptiles observed in the study area included whiptail lizards (Cnemidophorus sp.),

southern prairie lizard (Sce/oporus undulates consubrinus), and sand dune lizard (Sce/oporus arenico/us). A western hog nose snake (Heterodon nasicus) (Figure 4) was observed crossing a dirt road approximately 4km northeast of the site.

Common invertebrate species were observed at various locations. Grasshoppers were abundant at all sites, and most sites harbored one or more ant species. Flies, including mosquitoes, were also common. A variety of beetles, butterflies, and spiders was also observed, but not further identified.

Rare species The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) has been reported as present on the site by previous surveys. Suitable habitat is present throughout much of the study area, and it is likely that the species is widespread in the region, as reported by previous investigators. None were observed during the October 2004 survey.

The sand dune lizard has been reported for the area west of the site (Degenhardt et al. 1996).

Habitat characteristics favorable for the species include open sandy blowouts near shinnery oak (Garrett and Barker 1987, Degenhardt et al., 1996). As such habitat was found in much of the study area, the species may occur in the area. However, such areas of habitat are small and 6

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 isolated from each other, so no estimate of actual distribution or abundance could be made on the basis of present surveys.

Suitable habitat for the sand dune lizard does not appear to occur within 1.5 km of the site, but areas west, north, northeast, south, and southeast of the site appear to be suitable. A juvenile lizard, presumably of this species, was captured, photographed, and released from a sandy blowout location approximately 4km southeast of the site (Figure 5). The habitat in which the specimen was collected is a small blowout with shinnery oak, sand sage, soapweed, and sparse grasses present at the periphery (Figure 6).

Summary:

Natural habitats in the study area (5km radius of the proposed site) are mostly shrubland with grassy patches, which are typical of the larger surrounding region. Species observed in these areas are typical of the region. Two species of concern, the Texas horned lizard and sand dune lizard, occur within the area. The former is widespread in Texas and is considered threatened because of over-collecting, incidental loss, and habitat disturbance. The latter has a specialized habitat that occurs throughout much of the region of the site. It is a proposed candidate for protection due to the loss of habitat, primarily due to spraying to remove shinnery oak to improve grazing. The species is the subject of intensive studies in New Mexico.

Development and operation of the proposed low level radioactive waste facility at the site will potentially result in the loss of some individual horned lizards and an incrementally small area of potential habitat. As suitable habitat for the sand dune lizard does not occur on or within 1.5km of the proposed areas of site disturbance, no impacts are anticipated. Protection of the area immediately surrounding the site may result in improved habitat quality for both species over time.

References:

Degenhardt, W.G., C.W. Painter, and A.H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico, University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque.

Garrett, J.M., and D.G. Barker. 1987. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians of Texas. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas.

Ortega, I.M., F.C. Bryant, R.D. Petit, and K. Rylander. 1997. Ecological Assessment of the Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas. Final Report.

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Table 1 - Sampling location data for 14 October 2004 survey.

LOCATION NUMBER 2

3 4

5 6

Stabilized dunes Dominants:

VEGETATION shinnery oak (40-50 cm) sand sage (40 - 60 cm) scattered mesquite (1.5 - 2.0 m) soapweed (35 - 50 cm)

Mixed forbs and grasses including annual buckwheat, snakeweed, broomweed, sunflowers, asters, silverleaf nightshade, mixed grasses. Grazed Stabilized dunes Dominants:

shinnery oak (40 - 50 cm) forbs (fleabane, snakeweed, sunflowers)(30 - 45 cm) mesquite (1.0 - 2.0 m)

Scattered sand sage, soapweed, and ragweed. Grazed Shinnery oak shrub area Dominants:

shinnery oak (30 - 45 cm) mesquite (1.5 - 2.0 m)

Mixed cover of rabbitbrush, sunflowers (0.7 - 1.2 m),

asters, soapweed, snakeweed, purple aster, other forbs and grasses. Grazed Stabilized dunes; small blowouts Dominants:

shinnery oak (35 - 45 cm) mesquite (2.2)

Mixed sparse cover forbs and bunch grasses; Sa/so/a common. Grazed Disturbed shinnery oak shrubland Dominants:

shinnery oak (30 - 45 cm)

Mixed shrubs, forbs, and grass cover of snakeweed, rabbitbrush, soapweed. Heavily grazed Blowout by oil well head Dominants:

shinnery oak (30 -45 cm)

Sparsely scattered grasses and weedy forbs on mostly bare sand. Grazed WILDLIFE scaled quail mourning dove Chihuahuan raven cattle Chihuahuan raven grasshoppers Greater roadrunner grasshoppers ants Lizard tracks (Cnemidophorus?)

tracks, gopher mound away from blowout Cattle brown-headed cowbirds flies grasshoppers
ants, grasshoppers flies 8

LOCATION NUMBER 7

8 9

10 11 12 13 Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 VEGETATION WILDLIFE Border of gravel pit, pools mourning dove American kestrel Dominants:

Savanna sparrows shinnery oak (40 - 50 cm) grasshoppers mesquite (1.2 - 1.8 m) mosquitoes Mixed low cover of grasses and forbs; nightshade, flies snakeweed, primrose, Sa/so/a. Grazed.

Small blowout in shinnery oaks grasshoppers flies Dominants:

shinnery oak (35 - 45 cm) soapweed (40 - 50 cm) mesquite (1.6 - 2.0 m)

Sparse overall cover (<5%), composites, Sa/sofa, snakeweed, locowee, thistle, sunflowers, bunchgrasses Masonry octagon 2m in diameter and 0.7m high in black-tailed jackrabbit small blowout flies grasshoppers Dominants:

soapweed (45 cm)

Sparse (<5%) cover of Sa/so/a and tall grasses. Grazed Large blowout (approx. 20X20 m) mourning dove Cnemidophorus Dominants:

grasshoppers shinnery oak (30 - 45 cm) flies soapweed (40 -50 cm)

Mesquite (3+ m)

Sparse grasses, Sa/so/a. Grazed Dirt road in shinnery oak stabilized dune habitat Western hognose snake Dominants:

grasshoppers shinnery oak (25 - 40 cm) soapweed (35 - 70 cm)

Scattered low mesquite (1.4 - 1.9 m), sunflowers, mixed low grasses. Grazed Disturbed stabilized dunes grasshoppers ants Dominants:

Shinnery oak (30 - 40 cm)

Mesquite (1.4 - 2.2)

Scattered thin cover of oak, asters, soapweed, grasses, snakeweed, prickly pear. Grazed Predominantly grassland with low shrubs southern prairie lizard grasshoppers Dominants:

grasses (Table 2) (0.8 - 1.0 m) shinnery oak (30 - 45 cm)

Mesquite (0.5 - 1.6 m)

Scattered mixed shrubs among dense grasses - typical of larger area in all directions. Not grazed?

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LOCATION NUMBER 14 15 16 17 18 Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 VEGETATION WILDLIFE Dense mesquite grassland Cattle mourning dove Dominants:

Mesquite (2.0 - 3.2 m)

Scattered forb (snakeweed, asters, Sa/sofa, So/anum);

almost no grass. Grazed Shrubland - grassland Cnemidophorus mosquitoes Dominants:

roadrunner and coyote Snakeweed (40 - 50 cm) on road in general area Mixed grasses and forbs (40 -

70 cm)

Scattered diverse vegetation (basket flower, asters, soapweed); heavily grazed area; little mesquite Sandy blowout in shinnery oak habitat southern prairie lizard sand dune lizard?

Dominants:

Mosquitoes shinnery oak (35 - 45 cm) salsola (40 cm) soapweed (35 - 55 cm)

Broad sparsely vegetated sandy dune area, sparsely vegetated by rabbitbrush, aster, finged sage, globe mallow. Grazed Caliche borrow pit; large pool no waterfowl!?

mourning dove Dominants:

Mesquite (1.6 - 2.4 m)

Little vegetation, much mud. Cattle use area Mesquite shrubland mosquitoes grasshoppers Dominants:

Mesquite (0.5 - 1.6 m)

Scattered understory of grasses and forbs (blue grama grass, snakeweed, Panicum, So/anum). Grazed 10

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Table 2 - Representative plant species observed during the October 2004 survey.

Common Name Scientific Name Shrubs Mesquite Prosopis glandulosa Prickly pear cactus Opuntia sp.

Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus pu/chellus Shinnery oak Quercus havardii Sand sagebrush Artemisia filifolia Soapweed Yucca sp_

Forbs Western ragweed Ambrosia psi/ostachya Lambsquarter Chenopodium sp.

Thistle Cirsium sp.

Groundsel Scenico /onqi/obus Fleabane Erigeron spp.

Annual buckwheat Eriogonum annuum Loco weed Astraga/us sp.

Snakeweed (perennial broomweed)

Gutierrizia sarothrae Annual broomweed Xanthocephalum dracunculoides Primrose Oenothera sp.

Silverleaf nightshade Solanum e/iagnifolium Russian thistle Sa/sofa iberica Globe mallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Grasses Sand bluestem Andropoqon half ii Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Purple three-awn Aristida purpurea Black grama Bouteloua eriopoda Blue Qrama Bouteloua gracilis Buffalo grass Buchloe dactvloides Muhly Muh/enbergia sp.

Sand dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus 11

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 1 - Location #1 Looking Southwest, Approximately 3.5km West of the Site Stabilized dunes Note stabilized dunes, shinnery oak, and sand sagebrush cover.

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 2 - Location #2, Looking North 14

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 3 - Location #2, Looking Northwest 15

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 4 - Location #3 16

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 5 - Location #3, Looking North 17

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 6 - Location #3, Shinnery Oak 18

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 7 - Location #3, Rabbitbrush 19

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 8 - Location #4, Looking Northwest 20

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 21

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 10 - Location #4, Looking West 22

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 11 - Location #4, Gopher Mound 23

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 12 - Location #5, Looking West 24

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 13 - Location #6, Looking West 25

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 14 - Location #8, Looking East 26

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 15 - Location #9, Looking Northeast 27

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 16 - Location #10, Looking Northeast 28

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 17 - Location #10, Looking West 29

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 18 - Location #10, Looking East 30

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 19 - Location #11, Hognosed Snake 31

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 20 - Location #11, Western hognose snake Western hognose snake observed at location #11 on 14 October 2004, approximately 4km northeast of the site.

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 21 - Location #11, Hognose Snake in Shin Oak r-33

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 22 - Location #12, Looking East 34

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 23 - Location #12, Ant Hill 35

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 24 - Location #13, Looking South, Approximately 4 km SW of the Site Photograph taken on 14 October 2004 of location #13 looking south, approximately 4km southwest of the site. Note shinnery oak beneath grass stratum and shinnery oak understory.

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 25 - Location #14, Near Well and Pool 37

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 26 - Location #14, Basidiomycete j:-,9 38

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 27 - Near Location #14 39

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 28 - Location #15, Looking Northwest 40

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 29 - Location #16, Sandy Blowout habitat Photograph of sandy blowout habitat at location #16 taken on 14 October 2004 looking north.

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 30 - Location #16, Possible Juvenile Sand Dune Lizard Sand dune lizard? Found in sandy blowout area at location #16 on 14 October 2004.

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Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 31 - Location #16, Sizing of Possible Sand Dune Lizard 43

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 44

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 33 - Location #16, Looking Northwest 45

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 34 - Location #17, Looking West 46

Habitat Characterization and Rare Species Survey for the Proposed Low Level Waste Repository, Andrews County, Texas Doug Reagan & Associates, LLC - Final Report - 25 October 2004 Figure 35 - Cow North of RCRA Permit Boundary 47