Laserfiche WebLink
,t <br /> 3: Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> Response: The stormwater management system is designed to safely collect runoff from the <br /> 100-yr, 24-hr storm event and convey it to sediment detention basins. There will be multiple <br /> detention basins, and each one will discharge to the nearby stream over a period of 72 hours. <br /> The majority of the detention basins will be constructed in native granite. Due to the short <br /> detention time and strength of the granitic material, there is very little potential for a failure. <br /> Wildlife <br /> Objector Comment: The quarry site is an area rich in wildlife. It lies between large <br /> concentrations of wildlife in the federal lands to the west and Fort Carson to the east, and serves <br /> as a major migration route between the two ecotypes. Most notably, the site is mapped by the <br /> US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as Critical Potential Conservation Habitat for the Mexican <br /> Spotted Owl, a federally listed threatened species, which has been documented in the broader <br /> area near the proposed quarry. The permit application also suggests that turkeys are not present <br /> on site. <br /> Response: With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures(listed below), including <br /> low vehicle speeds and pre-construction nesting raptor surveys, no significant direct mortality of <br /> wildlife is expected from quarry construction or operations. Wildlife habitat, mainly young-aged <br /> mixed conifer forest, will be lost for a period of several years during each mining phase. <br /> Reclamation will aim to reestablish the original forest vegetation; the reclaimed forest areas will <br /> progress through seral stages and begin to offer open-country habitat favored by such species as <br /> mule deer and turkeys within a few years. It will take roughly 50 to 80 years to return forest stand <br /> characteristics to pre-mining conditions. The habitat changes will temporarily be averse to most <br /> wildlife during mining, then after reclamation, sites will become usable at first by big game and <br /> other species that utilize forest openings and very young forest stands. Eventually, reclamation <br /> should return vegetation stands to conditions similar to pre-mining. The temporary loss of <br /> habitat would not be likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any wildlife species in the <br /> area or cause a permanent change in abundance. <br /> Localized disturbance of wildlife is likely from human presence and noise. Larger animals <br /> including elk, black bear, and mountain lion are the most likely to avoid the mining area during <br /> operational hours. While the permit area is part of a large landscape used by migrating big game <br /> and large carnivores roaming large home ranges, the surrounding and adjacent landscapes are <br /> lightly developed and provide similar movement opportunities for wildlife. Any temporary <br /> displacement or redirection of movements of large animals is not likely to result in significant <br /> changes in abundance or distribution of any wildlife species. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application M-2016-010 <br /> Responses to Objection Letters <br /> July 28, 2016 10 <br />