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United States Department of the Interior <br />IN REI'L l' <br />RI:EER T°.6514 (161) <br />C-25079 <br />Colorado Westmor <br />Attn: Ronald W. <br />P.O. Box 1299 <br />Paonia, Colorado <br />Dear Mr. Stucki: <br />BUREAU O LAyD NAGEMENT <br />Uncompahgre ~asin~esource Area <br />2505 South Townsend Avenue <br />Montrose, Colorado 81401 <br />=land, Inc ~~+~~~~ <br />. ~ I', .~ y'. a. <br />Stucki <br />~~ ?71981 <br />81428 <br />[iECLAMAT!(?N Ct{'JISlCN <br />lNAR ~ ~ 1987 <br />On February 20th, James Ferguson (Wildlife Biologist from this office) <br />and Rick Krueger (U.S..Fish and Wildlife Service), examined your proposed <br />rock tunnel site to determine if it would impact the nearby golden eagle <br />eyrie. It is their opinion that mining operations at the site would have <br />no more impact on the eyrie than the current mining operations. <br />Portal construction activities, specifically surface blasting, could cause <br />abandonment of the eyrie, loss of the eggs, or lcss of the young. The <br />eagles would be most susceptible to blasting impacts during the period <br />from March 1 through July 1. Depending on how early the birds lay their <br />eggs, the crucial period could be shortened to mid-June. <br />If the eyrie is not occupied this year, no restrictions on your proposed <br />activity would be necessary. If the eyrie is occupied, the preferred <br />course of action would be to postpone all blasting until after July 1, or <br />after the adults stop brooding the young, whichever is sooner. We would <br />be willing to permit some initial blasting with Jim Ferguson or a U.S. Fish <br />and Wildlife Service Biologist observing the eyrie to determine how the <br />eagles react. This last option would involve some risk. CWI may be re- <br />quired to postpone all surface blasting until after June 15, if the eagles <br />exhibit a strong reaction to the blasting. CWI may be able to mitigate <br />the impacts by reducing charge size to lessen the decibel level and shock <br />wave. <br />We are looking forward to working with you on this project. <br />Sincerely yours, <br />~ /f , <br />Robert E. Vecchia <br />Acting Area Manager <br />cc: <br />Rick Krueger, USF&WS, 529 25Z Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81505 <br />