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Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> enhance and improve the area by establishing vegetational communities that are not presently <br /> available thereby providing further benefits and protection to wildlife. <br /> Reclamation guidance documents for surface mines provide valuable information for ways to <br /> improve wildlife habitats and have been incorporated as appropriate.Vogel's reclamation manual, <br /> prepared for the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (1987) states, "In <br /> revegetating surface-mined areas, the maximum benefit usually is obtained by establishing <br /> vegetational communities that are in short supply in the vicinity... Establishing shrub communities <br /> in forested and agricultural areas where they often are lacking is especially beneficial to wildlife." <br /> Vogel (1987) also states that, "The basic components of wildlife habitat are food, cover, [and] <br /> water," and that"all of these are essential for survival. Food sources need to be available in during <br /> all seasons. Plant cover is required to not only provide nesting and brooding habitat but also <br /> escape and shelter. Some wildlife species require open water while others obtain moisture from <br /> the actual plants." This plan is designed to provide these necessary components for the wildlife <br /> currently on the Ranch. <br /> The United States Forest Services has determined that elk are a management indicator species <br /> (MIS) for National Forests in Colorado, including the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The <br /> U.S. Forest Service selects MIS in order to "establish objectives for the maintenance and <br /> improvement of habitat for management indicator species... certain vertebrate and/or invertebrate <br /> species present in the area shall be identified and selected as management indicator species and <br /> the reasons for their selection will be stated. These species shall be selected because their <br /> population changes are believed to indicate the effects of management activities." (36 CFR <br /> 219.19(a)) (Grigg 2012). The U.S. Forest Services has also determined that Merriam's wild turkey <br /> (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) to be a MIS in National Forests in western Colorado. "The <br /> Merriam's turkey is selected as an indicator primarily for mountain shrub (primarily Gambel oak), <br /> pinyon-juniper and lower elevation ponderosa pine habitat types, although the species is known <br /> to use forest-meadow edges, aspen, and mixed conifer habitats are heavily used during the <br /> summer" (Vasquez, 2005). Merriam's wild turkey is typically found in the foothills west of <br /> Interstate 25 and on the Western Slope, compared to the Rio Grande turkey, which is found in <br /> eastern Colorado (CPW, 2017). For the purpose of this reclamation plan and to be consistent <br /> with the U.S. Forest Service, wildlife habitat will be developed to specifically encourage and <br /> protect both elk and wild turkey habitat. References to turkey or wild turkey in this document shall <br /> refer specifically to the Merriam's wild turkey. The forest service has concluded that if these two <br /> species increase in population, the other wildlife in the area will also flourish. <br /> EXISTING CONDITIONS <br /> As detailed in Exhibit H, the permit area provides habitat for several big game species. Elk and <br /> mule deer are common in this area as are black bear and mountain lion. Common small game <br /> species include wild turkey, mourning dove and cottontail rabbit. Nongame wildlife species include <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application <br /> October 3,2017 E-13 <br />