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EXHIBIT H <br />r <� <br />COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE <br />4255 Sinton Road - Colorado Springs. Colorado 80907 <br />b., (710) 227 -5200 • FAX (719) 227 -5223 <br />- _ wildliife.state.co.us - parks. state. Co. us <br />February 14, 2012 <br />Mr. Doug Keller <br />Pine Bluffs Gravel and Excavating, Incorporated <br />P. 0. Box 609 <br />Pine Bluffs, WY 82082 <br />RE: Proposed Gravel Mine (Craig Ranch), Lincoln County <br />Dear Mr. Keller: <br />The area of your proposed gravel extraction operation (portions of Sections 27, 28, T9S, R56W), <br />is habitat for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white- tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), <br />pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), a variety of avian species and small mammals. There are <br />no threatened, endangered or species of concern known to occupy this site. The mammalian <br />species are year -round residents; avian residents migrate in the fall and return in the spring. <br />We anticipate that wildlife species will offset their activities - concurrent with mining operations, <br />to include avoiding the site and nearby area. This movement should be temporary, with normal <br />movement /activity resuming when the mining operation is complete and the area is reclaimed. <br />In the course of mining operation, we recommend topsoil be removed, stockpiled (protected <br />from erosion) and replaced after gravel is removed. We also recommend the site be graded to <br />match surrounding topography, seeded with native grass mixture - recommended by Lincoln <br />County Natural Resource Service (Hugo) and protected from livestock grazing until vegetation is <br />established. When site is opened, noxious, invading vegetation may establish on disturbed <br />soils. We recommend aggressive treatment of these plants, to prevent establishment, <br />spreading and creating a seed source for other areas. <br />The upper reaches of Big Sandy Creek below Ramah Reservoir (El Paso County) are occupied by <br />Arkansas darters, a state threatened and federal candidate species. Also, there are Arkansas <br />darters in lower reaches of Big Sandy Creek closer to it's confluence with the Arkansas River. <br />This section of big Sandy Creek near Limon is typically dry, but is considered to be Arkansas <br />darter habitat. It will become wetted during ephemeral events or periods of high water, during <br />which it can provide a conduit for re- colonization and movement for the darter. Arkansas <br />darters have evolved to take advantage of such events, and drainages such as this one play an <br />important role in their life history. Should it be necessary to build a crossing of the Big Sandy, <br />due to water flow, we would suggest that the creek channel be restored to it's original shape <br />after mining is completed. <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />John W. Hickenlooper. Governor - Mike King. Executive Director. Department of Natural Resources <br />Ride D. Cables. Director. Colorado Packs and k' fife <br />Parts and WikliRe Commission: David R Brougham - Gary Buttenuorth, Vice -Chair - Chris Castilian <br />Dorothea Fams -Tim Glenn. Chair - AILan Jones - Bill Kane - Gaspar Pernoone - Jim Pdbyl - John Singletary <br />Mark Smith, Secretary - Robert Streeter - Lenna Watson - Dean Wingfield <br />Ex Officio Members: Mike King and John Salazar <br />