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Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> Response: The Hitch Rack Ranch area is not unique in any manner. It simply has not been developed in <br /> recent years. The ecological evaluations included with the permit application demonstrate that the <br /> quarry area contains a variety of flora and fauna, but there are no unique,threatened,or endangered <br /> plants or animals that will be impacted by the quarry development. Habitat ranges mapped by CPW <br /> demonstrate that the vast majority of species prefer habitat in the plains to the east or habitat in the <br /> forested areas to the west. The CPW mapped habitat boundaries shown on Figure 3 demonstrate this <br /> fact. The few species that reside in this area have significant acreage of habitat in the surrounding <br /> areas. Also,the quarry plan preserves elk winter habitat north of Little Turkey Creek. The forested area <br /> south of the creek,where the quarry is planned, does not provide elk winter habitat as these north- <br /> facing slopes tend to hold deep snow and there is little to no vegetation that the animals eat. <br /> The current conditions,while pleasant to some, have no protection under State or Federal law, and the <br /> private landowner can manage their lands as they please. The forest is not "natural" as much of this <br /> area was inundated by a dam in the early 1900's. Also, CPW specifically states that the overgrown <br /> nature of the forest in this region is limiting the productivity of elk(Grigg, 2012). <br /> Transit Mix has also conducted a fragmentation analysis of the area surrounding the proposed quarry <br /> which affirmatively demonstrates that the proposed quarry will have only an incremental impact on the <br /> surrounding area. In fact,wildlife habitat is already subject to a significant amount of fragmentation,as <br /> nearly half of the surrounding habitat is fragmented by pre-existing(primarily residential)development. <br /> The fragmentation analysis is attached to this response. <br /> Objection: Existing pinion/juniper woodlands provide important habitat and cannot be replaced. <br /> Response: Essentially all the pinion/juniper vegetation exists on south facing slopes in the Little Turkey <br /> Creek drainage outside of the planned permit area, and these areas provide winter habitat for elk and <br /> other species. These slopes will not be impacted in any way by the operation,and this vegetation will <br /> continue to provide habitat. These facts are clearly discussed in the reclamation plan. <br /> Objection: The alternative migration route on Turkey Creek is blocked by the Schmidt Quarry. <br /> Response: The rules and regulations specifically require the Division and the Board to evaluate this <br /> project; and not potential impacts from another operation. <br /> CPW has reviewed and commented on the permit, and their comments from CPW have not included any <br /> concerns regarding wildlife migration. <br /> Regardless, Little Turkey Creek will still provide movement routes and unimpeded access to productive <br /> habitat areas, specifically the riparian corridor and the south facing winter habitat areas for elk. <br /> Furthermore,as discussed above, CPW does not have this area mapped as a deer or elk migration <br /> corridor or habitat important to their survival. The area is only indicated to be an area of general <br /> movement, and this "general movement area" extends north and south of the project area suggesting <br /> this broad landscape provides sufficient routes for deer and elk to perform their seasonal migrations. <br /> Objection: El Paso County recommended the lands be designated as a conservation area. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Response to Comments <br /> March 9,2018 12 <br />