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,F <br /> Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> Vegetation <br /> Objector Comment: The State of Colorado, through its Natural Heritage Program, has identified <br /> this exact area as having a B2 status "very high significance" because of its important plant and <br /> wildlife communities. It is also an important part of a unique and small area where the "Peaks to <br /> Plains" ecosystems come together and overlap,which is specifically why The Nature Conservancy <br /> and the State of Colorado have joined in the ownership and management of 1,140 acres of land <br /> located immediately south of the proposed quarry. Lodgepole pine and blue spruce are <br /> mentioned repeatedly in the application do not appear in significant numbers, while the white <br /> pine, which is very common at the site, is not mentioned at all. <br /> Response: The project area is partially located within the Natural Heritage Program's Aiken <br /> Canyon area. The Aiken Canyon Area is referred to as a potential conservation area (PCA) and <br /> according to the Natural Heritage Program many of the PCAs have never been surveyed. The <br /> project area included within the Aiken Canyon area is primarily the south-east project area where <br /> the proposed haul-road is to be located. As shown in Exhibit J of the July 14, 2016 permit <br /> submittal, this area is primarily mountain shrubland and grassland. Areas proposed for <br /> disturbance in this area of tall grassland is minimal. More importantly, as discussed above, the <br /> quarry is not expected to adversely impact wildlife corridors due to the implementation of <br /> Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) mitigation measures and the reclamation plan. <br /> Lodgepole pine and blue spruce were mentioned in the original reclamation plan, and the revised <br /> reclamation plan included in Exhibit E of the July 21, 2016 permit submittal includes native grass <br /> species recommended by the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and tree/shrub <br /> species that match those currently onsite. Responses to comments on the reclamation plan are <br /> included in the Reclamation section below. <br /> Reclamation <br /> Objector Comment: The permit application does not demonstrate that the proposed <br /> revegetation cover and diversity will be at least equal to the natural vegetation of the <br /> surrounding area. The proposed reclamation of the quarry cannot return the location to anything <br /> which resembles or functions as it does now in its current natural state. Gambel oak cannot <br /> typically be grown from acorns. The reclamation plan does not consider aspect or the presence <br /> of pinon-juniper species. The seed mix is generic and should include wildflowers. <br /> Response: Transit Mix is committed to establishing a long lasting vegetative cover in compliance <br /> with the requirements of Rule 3.1.10(1). If it is determined that soil amendments or other options <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application M-2016-010 <br /> Responses to Objection Letters <br /> July 28, 2016 13 <br />