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Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> The United States Forest Services has determined that elk are a management indicator species <br /> (MIS) for National Forests in Colorado, including the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The <br /> U.S. Forest Service selects MIS in order to "establish objectives for the maintenance and <br /> improvement of habitat for management indicator species... certain vertebrate and/or <br /> invertebrate species present in the area shall be identified and selected as management <br /> indicator species and the reasons for their selection will be stated. These species shall be <br /> selected because their population changes are believed to indicate the effects of management <br /> activities." (36 CFR 219.19(a)) (Grigg 2012). The U.S. Forest Services has also determined that <br /> Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) to be a MIS in National Forests in western <br /> Colorado. "The Merriam's turkey is selected as an indicator primarily for mountain shrub <br /> (primarily Gambel oak), pinyon-juniper and lower elevation ponderosa pine habitat types, <br /> although the species is known to use forest-meadow edges, aspen, and mixed conifer habitats <br /> are heavily used during the summer" (Vasquez, 2005). Merriam's wild turkey is typically found <br /> in the foothills west of Interstate 25 and on the Western Slope, compared to the Rio Grande <br /> turkey, which is found in eastern Colorado (CPW, 2017). For the purpose of this reclamation <br /> plan and to be consistent with the U.S. Forest Service, wildlife habitat will be developed to <br /> specifically encourage and protect both elk and wild turkey habitat. References to turkey or wild <br /> turkey in this document shall refer specifically to the Merriam's wild turkey. The forest service <br /> has concluded that if these two species increase in population, the other wildlife in the area will <br /> also flourish. <br /> EXISTING CONDITIONS <br /> As detailed in Exhibit H, the permit area provides habitat for several big game species. Elk and <br /> mule deer are common in this area as are black bear and mountain lion. Common small game <br /> species include wild turkey, mourning dove and cottontail rabbit. Nongame wildlife species <br /> include rodents and midsized predators such as coyote, bobcat, red fox, weasel and badger. <br /> The project area also provides nesting and forage habitat for raptor species. <br /> The project area has been identified by CPW within elk summer and winter range and within a <br /> landscape that provides migration corridors on ridges and in drainages. The project area is also <br /> within black bear summer and fall concentration area, black bear human conflict area, and <br /> mountain lion overall range and human conflict area. <br /> The most important big game habitat within the project area is winter range, because most deer <br /> and elk herds in the state are limited by the quality and quantity of winter range. The most <br /> important winter range in the project area is in the lower elevations, in open shrublands, <br /> especially on south-facing slopes where browse shrubs are most abundant and most accessible <br /> during periods of deep snow. The important winter range areas north of the creek will remain <br /> undisturbed. The area to be mined does not include areas of elk and deer winter range because <br /> most of the area is dense forest cover on north facing slopes and higher elevation. This <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application <br /> March 9,2018 E-15 <br />