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_ Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> 1999b). The wild turkey population in Colorado is estimated at 21,000 Merriam's turkeys, and the <br /> turkey population is self-sustaining and increasing (Vasquez, 2005). <br /> "The Merriam's turkey has the widest distribution and is the most common <br /> subspecies of the wild turkey in North America. The Forest is well within the <br /> distribution range of the Merriam's turkey. They occupy many forested <br /> mountainous areas throughout western Colorado, especially those with ponderosa <br /> pine, pinyon-juniper, oakbrush, and cottonwoods. On the Forest, turkeys are <br /> primarily associated with ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, Gambel oak, and forest- <br /> meadow edges, aspen and mixed conifer forests. Figure 2 shows the relative <br /> breeding season abundances for the wild turkey and reflects the percent change <br /> per year, based on Breeding Bird Survey data" (Vasquez, 2005). <br /> ■Aboa.100 Pncant CFanga,«Ve., <br /> ■>30-100 - <br /> >10-30 0-1.5 to-0.25 <br /> >3-10 ❑>-0.25 a0.25 <br /> �>1 1 0>0251.+1.5 <br /> ❑ 0.05.1 0 C<ne d.en+1.6 <br /> '' ❑Non.Cowtad <br /> Figure 2. LEFT:Relative breeding season abundance of the wild turkey based on average number of birds per route.obtained <br /> from Breeding Bird Survey data(Sauer et al.2005). RIGHT:Percent change per year in turkey abundance during the breeding <br /> season.obtained from Breeding Bird Sun-ey data(Sauer et al.2005). <br /> (Vasquez, 2005) <br /> Threats to Merriam's wild turkey are primarily related to loss of habitat, specifically timber harvest <br /> or fire; however, turkey habitat can be improved or created provided proper planning and <br /> implementation (Vasquez, 2005). "Management activities in pinyon-juniper appear to have the <br /> greatest impact on turkeys when treatments isolate roosting sites because of reductions in pinyon- <br /> juniper cover habitat (travel corridors between roost sites) or when suitable roosting trees are <br /> eliminated" (Vasquez, 2005). The Quarry design does not impact the south-facing slopes north <br /> of Little Turkey Creek, and this area of pinyon-juniper woodland will not be affected, which will <br /> protect wild turkey habitat. From previous studies, it has been documented that the harvesting of <br /> ponderosa pine trees caused temporary reduction in turkey population; however, following the <br /> completion of the harvesting, the turkey population returned or exceeded the original numbers <br /> (Vasquez, 2005). The existing mixed conifer forest within the Quarry area primarily consists of <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application <br /> October 3,2017 E-17 <br />