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1 -11 <br /> � tTransit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> Forest or riparian areas with a moderate or closed canopy (>40%) cover provide secondary <br /> habitat. Brood rearing habitat must be within 0.8km (2,600ft) for broods that are only a few days <br /> older; however, older broods may travel as far as 23.4km (14.5mi) from the nesting area. <br /> (Vasquez, 2005) <br /> Roosting habitat requires moderate gradient slopes near ridgelines with a ponderosa pine or <br /> pinyon-juniper forest canopy. Wild turkeys need open areas to take flight, and they typically roost <br /> in large, open pine trees 30 to 40 yards from the ridge line (CPW, 2017). Slope gradients within <br /> roosting habitat range from 20% to 30% for primary habitat, and slopes ranging from 5% to 20% <br /> provide secondary habitat. East-facing slopes are preferred, and slopes with north, south, or west <br /> aspects provide secondary habitat. Mid-aged ponderosa pine or pinyon-juniper forest with <br /> moderate to closed canopy (>40%) and multistory stands provide primary habitat. Mid-aged <br /> cottonwood, Douglas fir provide secondary habitat, provided there are multiple layers. Single <br /> story trees, regardless of species or age, do not provide roosting habitat. Trees often require a <br /> natural pruning process before the limbs provide the necessary open, multiple layered <br /> configuration. (Vasquez, 2005) <br /> Winter feeding and cover can vary due to the fluctuations in available food on a year to year basis. <br /> Ponderosa pine seeds and Gambel oak acorns are the preferred food of Merriam's turkeys, and <br /> turkeys will scavenge for seeds, particularly Kinnikinnick (bearberry) and pinyon nuts. Mid-aged <br /> ponderosa pine and Gambel oak forest with a closed (>60%) canopy cover or large Gambel oak <br /> forest provide primary winter habitat, and forests (same species) with a moderate (40-60%) <br /> canopy cover provide secondary winter habitat. In general,turkeys prefer slopes with south facing <br /> aspects for winter feeding and cover. These south-facing slopes important for winter feeding and <br /> cover will not be disturbed by the Quarry development. <br /> WAYS THAT WE ARE CREATING PRIME HABITAT <br /> While the mining and reclamation plan anticipates a change in existing topography, the proposed <br /> plan includes slopes suitable for big game to traverse and habitat. As stated above, elk prefer <br /> slopes <40%. The majority of the affected area (approximately 95%) will be reclaimed to slopes <br /> gentler than 3H:1 V which is 33%. The mining pit will be backfilled to the maximum extent practical <br /> to reduce the height of the final highwall and the areal extent of the highwalls. As detailed above, <br /> once mining is complete, portions of the fines and overburden stored in the F1 stockpile will be <br /> moved/rehandled to backfill additional areas of the pit to reduce the highwall height. <br /> As documented in Exhibit J and discussed above, species and habitat diversity within the project <br /> area is lacking. The mining area is predominately mixed conifer forest with small inclusions of <br /> ponderosa pine woodland, mountain shrubland and pinyon-juniper. The seed mixes and tree <br /> species in this plan were chosen specifically to encourage and improve wildlife habitat, even from <br /> pre-existing conditions, particularly elk and Merriam's wild turkey. The nutrient values of plant <br /> species vary by season. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application <br /> October 3,2017 E-20 <br />