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and reclamation are complete, the area will still only support a given number of <br /> rabbits. This population will establish itself relatively quickly within normal <br /> population cycles as long as any breeding populations exist on or near the <br /> affected areas. The 20 rabbits "saved" per year will not be evident in future <br /> populations. This same concept applies to all species of wildlife with varying <br /> degrees of time factors depending on the fecundity of the species and existence <br /> of a breeding population. All of the species that may be impacted are relatively <br /> prolific and have ample breeding populations. <br /> The most significant effects to wildlife are brought about by increased human <br /> activity in the area. These effects may be the most damaging because of their <br /> unknown duration and intensity. Northwest Colorado has experienced, and is <br /> expected to continue experiencing rapid growth related to coal and oil shale <br /> development. This growth is inherently accompanied by increased human activity <br /> including residential development, increased recreational use of all lands and <br /> increased vehicular traffic. To the extent that Trapper Mine contributes to this <br /> growth, it also contributes to the subsequent impacts on wildlife. It should be <br /> noted however, that Trapper Mine is an existing project which reached full pro- <br /> duction in 1979 and is therefore unlikely to make any further incremental contri- <br /> bution to growth in the area. <br /> The following discussions in this section deal specifically with species deter- <br /> mined to be important as described in Section 2.4. While mitigative measures may <br /> not be specifically directed towards small or medium sized mammals and songbirds, <br /> these animals will also benefit from the implementation of such measures. <br /> The mitigation program is intended to enhance the value of the area and shorten <br /> and reduce the impacts of mining for economically important species (game ani- <br /> mals) and critical species, i.e. raptors. The effectiveness of most mitigative <br /> measures will be short lived. The only mitigation that will be permanent is suc- <br /> cessful revegetation. Revegetation with appropriate plant species is essential <br /> to maintain and enhance wildlife use of the mine plan area and adjacent areas and <br /> is the most important facet of wildlife mitigation. Therefore, the primary and <br /> overriding objective of all mitigation and land management practices will be to <br /> 4-148 <br />