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'n Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> 0 <br /> DRMS COMMENTS - Elliott Russell - Adequacy Review of Wildlife <br /> Information <br /> 6.4.5 Exhibit E <br /> 1. The Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry is located within Game Management Unit (GMU) 59, which <br /> is a part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) Elk Data Analysis Unit (DAU) E-23. The <br /> Applicant states the project will disturb 239 acres which is 0.04% of the winter range within <br /> DAU E-23, however states none of the winter range within GMU-59 will be disturbed. <br /> Please clarify this statement as it is the Division's understating that the winter range of <br /> GMU-59 is a portion or sub-set of the total winter range of DAU E-23. <br /> Response: The quarry area will disturb areas mapped by CPW as winter range for elk; <br /> however, the quarry area consists of mixed conifer, which according to CPW <br /> documentation is not winter habitat. The winter habitat exists north of Little Turkey Creek <br /> and will not be disturbed. <br /> 6.4.8 Exhibit H <br /> 2. In accordance with Rule 6.4.8(1), please provide a description for aquatic wildlife species of <br /> Little Turkey Creek within the vicinity of the application area. If there are aquatic wildlife <br /> species within Little Turkey Creek, please provide a description, in accordance with Rule <br /> 6.4.8(1)(d), of the general effect during and after the proposed operation. Please also discuss, in <br /> accordance with Rule 3.1.8(1), how the operation will take in account the safety and protection <br /> of these aquatic wildlife species. <br /> Response: The Little Turkey Creek corridor and aquatic species within that corridor will <br /> not be affected by the quarry operation. Little Turkey Creek is outside the affected lands <br /> boundary and will not be disturbed except at the access road crossing and the discharge <br /> point from the pit area. The access road crossing is located in a section of Little Turkey <br /> Creek that is traditionally dry due to groundwater recharge and upstream diversions, and no <br /> impacts to aquatic species will occur at this location. The discharge point from the pit area <br /> is located where the creek becomes a losing segment and immediately upstream from a <br /> historic diversion that prevents fish passage. Aquatic species present in this section of <br /> creek, when flowing, will not be impacted by quarry development and operation as the <br /> quarry design and permit limits specifically protect the riparian corridor and aquatic <br /> wildlife species. Runoff from disturbed areas flows through sediment detention basins to <br /> remove sediment prior to discharge to receiving waters. Transit Mix will obtain an NPDES <br /> permit from CDPHE, and therefore all discharge water will meet applicable water quality <br /> and sediment limits. All waters that enter the quarry area, surface water and groundwater, <br /> will be routed through sediment detention basins and discharged to the creek; thus, <br /> minimizing the impacts to the overall hydrologic balance. Exhibit H has been revised to <br /> include a summary of the aquatic species observed in Little Turkey Creek. <br /> 3. Within Section III. Potential Effects of Exhibit H, the Applicant states with appropriate <br /> mitigation measure, including low vehicle speeds and pre-construction nesting raptor surveys, no <br /> significant direct mortality of wildlife is expected from construction or operations. As the <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry(M-2017-049) <br /> Response to Comments—March 9,2018 <br />