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Page 5 <br />relevance to your project, please contact Craig Hansen of the Colorado Field Office at (303) <br />236-4749. <br />3. State Species of Special Concern in Colorado: <br />Our comments address federally listed species, federally designated critical habitats, and <br />migratory birds. Please contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Northeast Regional Office at <br />(303) 291-7227 regarding any State species of special designation in Colorado that are not <br />federally listed. For example, the grazed pastures within your proposed project area may support <br />colonies of the black -tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), a State species of special <br />concern in Colorado: <br />• The black -trailed prairie dog is a ground dwelling squirrel that lives in grasslands, <br />including those in urban areas, disturbed right-of-ways, agricultural fields, and road or <br />utility easements. Many grassland species, such as the burrowing owl, depend on the <br />underground burrows built by black -tailed prairie dogs. Due to their important role in the <br />prairie ecosystem and the many species that rely on them, we strongly encourage the <br />conservation of prairie dogs. <br />• To avoid and minimize potential impacts to prairie dogs and their dependent species <br />during construction, we recommend conducting preconstruction surveys for prairie dogs <br />and their associated species. Design the project to avoid disturbing active colonies. If <br />the proposed project cannot avoid active colonies, relocate the prairie dogs or consider <br />donating them to a black -footed ferret or raptor recovery program, rather than <br />euthanizing colonies. Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife for more information on the <br />regulations and guidelines that address the capture, transportation, and relocation of <br />prairie dogs in Colorado. <br />We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and the Asphalt Specialties Company on this <br />mining and water storage project along the South Platte River. Thank you for contacting the <br />Service when our previous reviews have expired. If the Service can be of any additional <br />assistance, please contact Craig Hansen by telephone at (303) 236-4773 or by email to <br />craig_hansen@fws.gov. Thank you for your concern for the Preble's, migratory birds, and other <br />natural resources. <br />Sincerely, <br />(& V t, <br />Drue Deberry <br />Acting Colorado Field Supervisor <br />Encl: Figure 1 —Map of the proposed project area and our Preble's trapping database <br />ec: Asphalt Specialties Company, Rob Laird, RobLg4Vhaltspecialities.com <br />CPW, Area Manager, Larry Rogstad, Larry.Rogstadastate.co.us <br />