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QS�ENT OR lyF United States Department of the Interior FISH I �IJiI $ FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Ecological Services �4gCH ;, Colorado Field Office P.O. Box 25486, DFC (65412) IN REPLY REFER TO: Denver, Colorado 80225-0486 ES/CO: Preble's / Weld County / Chavers Gravel Mine / Fort Lupton t South Platte River TAILS: 06E24000 -2016 -TA -0004 Previous: 65412 -2009 -TA -0008 OCT 2 0 2015 Rob Laird Asphalt Specialties Company 10100 Dallas Street Henderson, Colorado 80540 Dear Mr. Laird: Thank you for your October 14, 2015, email to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) regarding the proposed Chavers Gravel Mine and Water Storage Facility along the South Platte River at 4125 U.S. Highway 85 in Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado (Latitude: 40.048897°; Longitude: -104.822334°) (Figure 1, enclosed). With a permit from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, you propose to mine gravel on approximately 67 acres at the subject property and convert the resulting mine pit into a water storage facility. We previously worked with you on this project (TAILS 65412 -2009 -TA -0008). On October 28, 2008, we agreed with your determination that the proposed project would not likely adversely affect the federally threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse, or Preble's (Zapus hudsonius preblei). We based our determination largely on the proposed project area's lack of suitable riparian and upland Preble's habitats and the grazed, sparsely vegetated condition of the upland habitats. Trappers also failed to capture Preble's along the South Platte River within 2.0 miles of the proposed project area. Further, because the mining would remove several large cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides), we also provided comments regarding potential impacts to migratory birds. Your email explained that the proposed project never started and our previous review of the proposed project expired after one year and is no longer valid. You again seek to mine the property using the same proposed project plans and conservation measures as described in your September 30, 2008, letter. You explained that potential habitats within the proposed project area remain poor and provided updated site photographs on October 14, 2015. As a result, you request the Service's concurrence with your determination that the proposed project is not likely to adversely affect the Preble's. In response to your request, we provide the following comments regarding: 1. Federally threatened and endangered species;