2014-12-15_PERMIT FILE - M2014043

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EXHIBIT H WILDLIFE STATEMENT. On July 23 , 2014 we mailed a request for information regarding a Wildlife Statement from the Northeast region of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. As of the application submittal date no response has been received from them. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A COPY OF A REPORT PREPARED BY ERO RESOURCES FOR THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE CONCERNING ENDANGERED SPECIES BOTH TERRESTRIAL AND VEGETATIVE FOR THE MINE SITE . ACCORDING TO THE REPORT THERE ARE NO THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THE MINE AREA . THEY DO ADVISE THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR BURROWING OWLS USING THE PRAIRIE DOG DENS DURING NESTING SEASON AND SUGGEST THE SITE BE SURVEYED PRIOR TO DISTURBING THE PRAIRIE DOG TOWN BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND OCTOBER 31 TO AVOID IMPACTING ANY OWLS USING THE SITE . ALBERT FREI AND SONS WILL FOLLOW THE SUGGESTIONS IN THE REPORT WHEN DEALING WITH THE PRAIRIE DOG TOWN. Wildlife resources on the affected lands are limited to the existing ground cover consisting of seasonal grasses, trees and weeds . Ground cover in this area averages, approximately 250, with some areas having little or no cover, only exposed gravel . Approximately 55% of the site is covered by buildings, house, barns, graveled parking areas and farm yard. The remaining areas are lake surface, open grass and weed covered area. Use of the area by wildlife is minimal, as the area is mostly disturbed. In the past landowners have operated a commercial sod farm on the eastern area, ran buffalo on the same area. This area is now infested with prairie dogs that have stripped all usable vegetation from the land and the property is surrounded by commercial uses, a water storage reservoir, an old mine and an interstate highway. Wildlife expected to be found on the property may include a small herd of deer, small rodents, mammals, water fowl, fish and song birds . There are no known threatened or endangered species on the property. Existing wildlife in the area is not expected to be significantly impacted by mining this site. With the exception of the prairie dogs that will be removed prior to mining commencing. ALBERT FREI & SONS WILL ',11TH WHE ;EMO�'�_^.�� :'HE PRAT' E DOGS FROM THE MINE AREA . Temporary and permanent losses of food and habitat is not expected to be significant as the area currently has limited potential for wildlife food and habitat .