2017-12-20_REVISION - M1977219 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit H WILDLIFE INFORMATION Attached is a copy of a December 27, 2016 Wildlife Informa- tion Letter prepared by Mr. Michael Trujillo from CPWD. He noted that the expansion should no have any more impact on the wildlife in the area then the current mine has . We wish to thank Mr. Trujillo for taking the time to prepare this information. In additions a copy of the 1991 Wildlife Statement prepared by the DOW details the species of wildlife on the mine . While this is for a 40-acre area it can apply to the vicinity around the existing mine area and is still valid. The information provided by Mr Trujillo supplements this statement . The two documents submitted from the Division of Wildlife address Rule 6 . 4 . 8 we submit the following information, to support the Divisions findings . Over the past 60 years or more Summit brick has the follow- ing observations of wildlife use and activities at the mine . Many of the small mammals use the area year around, the deer tend to be around all year long too and elk use the site depending the season and their migration routes . We cannot vouch for or against the presence of threatened or endangered species but the DOW reports state they are not con- cerned that the mines expansion will cause a threat to them. Approximately 28% of the total permit area will not be disturbed by mining and only 3 . 8% of the site will be disturbed at one time so impacts will be minimal . Speed limits on the mine site are set at 15 mph, haul road lengths are kept to the minimum length needed for safety at the mine . There are sufficient areas around the active mining area for wildlife that use the area to avoid the active parts of the mine or if they are displaced. Migration corridors for larger big game species are usually located in the canyons that bisect the site and these areas will remind undisturbed throughout the life of the mine . We also note that it is not, unusual to enter the mine in the morning and find big game animals in the mine and small game species using the rock piles and building as cover areas . Prior to opening new area for mining, Summit Brick will make observations of the new area to determine if there are Raptors using the site as active hunting areas, over night roost sites or nesting sites . If any are observed, the Pueblo Office of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office will be contacted to confirm the observations and advise Summit on what actions should be taken to avoid disrupting the sites during nesting times . Summit will then take the appropriate actions to prevent distur- bance to the nest or roost site . If Raptor used occurs or is observed after mining activities have commenced on an area then CPW will be contacted to advise actions that can be worked out to operate the mine without completely abandoning the site for long periods of time . 14 (revised 12/18/17)