2016-08-09_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M2016033

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COLORADO Parks and Wildlife Department of Natural Resources Steamboat Springs Area Office RECEIVED PO Box 775777 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 G 0 9 2016 NVISION OF RECLAMATION August 5, 2016 MiNIp►G,�i'�D SAFETY Peter S. Hays Environmental Protection Specialist Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman St. Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Dear Mr. Hays, Thank you for the opportunity to provide input into the development of the Van Valkenburg Quarry, File No. M-2016-033, located in the NE4NE4 section 11, T5N, R81W. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has a statutory responsibility to manage all wildlife species in Colorado; this responsibility is embraced and fulfilled through CPW's mission to protect, preserve, enhance, and manage the wildlife of Colorado for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of the State and its visitors. One way we fulfill this mission is to provide recommendations for land use applications such as this one. District Wildlife Manager, Josh Dilley, has reviewed the project proposal and is familiar with the area. He has provided the following comments. The construction of the proposed gravel pit will impact approximately 9.6 acres of mixed conifer/aspen habitat, dominated by a rock outcrop, and displace wildlife from the site for the period of development. However, sufficient habitat exists adjacent to the proposed site to support the wildlife displaced by the gravel pit operation. An access road already exists to the gravel pit site from Jackson County Road 53; therefore, no additional habitat fragmentation will occur by creating a new access road. The area provides habitat to many species of wildlife including, small mammals, bear, mountain lion, songbirds, and a variety of raptors. This area also serves as significant habitat for three economically important species of wildlife which include: moose (overall range), elk (overall range and production area), and mule deer (summer range). These species depend on the mixed conifer and aspen ecosystem during various seasons of the year. If the site is to be fenced, please consider a fence that would allow wildlife to pass through easily, while keeping domestic livestock out of the area of operation. A four wire fence would be sufficient. A fence that would accomplish these tasks would consist of a smooth top and bottom wire with wire spacing (from top to bottom) of 42 inches, 30 inches, 23 inches, and 16 inches. The two middle wires could be barbed. In addition to these suggestions, it is recommended that the top wire is constructed of a highly visible, coated wire. This allows for better visibility when animals jump the fence, and when birds are in flight. Noxious weeds are a threat to native wildlife habitats. Please consider the control of any noxious weeds that may invade the disturbed site. This would protect the habitat around the pF CpCp� Bob D.Broscheid,Director,Colorado Parks and Wildlife•Parks and Wildlife Commission:Robert W.Bray•Chris Castilian,Chair•Jeanne Home,Vice-Chair John Howard•Bill Kane•Dale Pizel•James Pribyl,Secretary•James Vigil•Dean Wingfield•Michelle Zimmerman•Alex Zipp Cy