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June 26,2014 DRAFT Sandy Acres Environmental Permit—Wildlife Information INTRODUCTION URS Corporation (URS) completed a desktop review and field assessment to identify wildlife permit requirements at Sandy Acres gravel pit pond, located between Nome Street, E-470, and U.S. Highway 85 (US 85)near Brighton,Adams County,Colorado(Figure 1). The E470 Public Highway Authority(E470 Authority) is currently engaged in the permitting process with the Division of Reclamation,Mining, and Safety(DRMS)to allow for the filling of the gravel pit pond (Project) with gravel fill material. This report describes wildlife information and findings as required for the permitting process. METHODS Information collected prior to surveys included: • A review of federal, state, and other threatened and endangered species with the potential to occur within Adams County,Colorado • The Brighton U.S.Geological Service 7.5 minute quadrangle map(USGS 2012) • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS) database information(CPW 2014) URS ecologists walked the'study area on June 10, 2014, to survey for wildlife species within the Project area. Weather during the survey was sunny, with ambient temperatures averaging between approximately 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Any wildlife species or signs observed were noted. Habitat was assessed and any suitable habitat for any state or federally listed species was recorded. During the survey, photographs of the site were taken from representative vantage points and are included in Appendix A of this report. PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The Project is located approximately 3.75 miles south of the City of Brighton in Adams County, Colorado. The Project can be found on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map for Brighton, Colorado(USGS 2012) within Township 1 South, Range 67 West, and Section 26 of the 6'h Principal Meridian. The Project is located at approximate latitude 39.9327° North, longitude 104.8487° West. Sandy Acres gravel pit pond is bounded to the east by US 85 and E470 to the northeast. Nome Street is located to the west of the pond (Figure 1). The South Platte River is located approximately 0.5 miles to the west of the Project. Fulton Ditch is located approximately 0.31 miles to the east of the Project and east of US 85. Brannon Pit is located west of the Project area, and several other unnamed gravel pit ponds are located south of the area. Gravel pit mine operations are located to the west and south of the Project, while agricultural fields are located to the north and east. Sandy Acres gravel pit pond is approximately 31.6 acres. There is a 7.5 foot tall security fence surrounding the pond and an upland buffer;the area inside of the fence is approximately 50 acres. Site Description The Project is located within the Flat to Rolling Plains ecological region of the High Plains. This area is higher and drier than the Central Great Plains. Grama-buffalo grass(Bouteloua gracilis and Bouteloua dactyloides) is the potential natural vegetation in this region. Much of the High Plains comprises smooth to slightly irregular 1