2014-04-09_PERMIT FILE - M2014019

Home Browse Search

Exhibit B a ? The proposers pit location is located in an area with a high degree of wildlife diversity. The following list of species may be fouad ftougli" fret area £lk. Nhile Derr. Bighorn Sheep, White Tailed Deer. Swift Fox. Coyvte, Bobcat. I%I uuta=n Lion. Black Bear_ Mouutam Cottontail. lack Rabbit_ Scaled Quail- Merriam "s Turkey. Greater R.oakhumer. Bald Eagle. Northern Harrier, Red-Tailed Hawk. ferruginous hawk. Ante man lyrstret. - Mountain .Blur -bird, Plateau Lizard, Goat Plains Skink. Westem Rattlesaake. Niassasuaga Rattlesnake, Night Snake. Texas-Blind Snake. and Texas liorwrd Lizard_ This list of %- dkfe species is cwt exhaustitie. A ew y GIS species :wraps indicated that a bald eagle nesting and foraging conidor is located approximately 3 -; mile west of the proposed pit tocatton. During the site visit no bald eagle nests were obsmed is any of the *acew old growth cottonwood trees_ rear were any eagles obsenrd. The impacts from dw Las Animas Mesa De Maya pit as proposed awed properly mitigated snag be characterized as minimal with no significant impacts. To our knowledge there are no knowa Threatened or endangered species in the exact area of flit proposed 8.5 acre pit location- Additionally. the project will not affect any aquatic species or wetlands_ The gravel pits unpacts to wdditfe are likely to be minimal. The pits surface acreage is small_ The proposed Las Anmus Mesa lie &iaya pit wilt likely result in a small atuwuat of habitat loss to the above mentioned species, how err small modifications to the muudg plan and teclamatum work may be dorer to help nutrgate this loss and actually improve tine overall value of wildlife habitat throughout the area The greatest impacts to wildlife may be from the increase in heanan activity The area will we increased vehicle traffic The noise and disttaibaace from vehicles, hm-y machinery. and people may cause some species of wildlife to avoid the area temporarily TILL-, will be especiatiy true &mg the day- the greatest habitat loss would be the destruction and or removal of any of the old growth cottonwood trees within the proposed pit location. Additional habitat loss to tut area avuld include the desmiciton of satire bm% erg ass_ From a reclamation standpoint . buffalo grass. and blue Van= nay be re- planted or re- established throughout the site. Every effort should be made to keep fi-vm removing any of the cottonwood trees widm the area Pit excavations could be focused near and or around these trees as defy provide wildlife habitat for ueost if rat all of the aentioned species that occupy the area. Turkeys wad raptors will htz ily use the tree as a roost and or perch %hilt other species might use cottonwoods for shade and cover_ It would be iutpossible to replace these trees and the bearfrts they provide for w ildife to the event they are removed.