2018-03-20_PERMIT FILE - M2017049 (2)

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?, - - ,„ Transit Mix Concrete Co. The United States Forest Services has determined that elk are a management indicator species (MIS) for National Forests in Colorado, including the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service selects MIS in order to "establish objectives for the maintenance and improvement of habitat for management indicator species... certain vertebrate and/or invertebrate species present in the area shall be identified and selected as management indicator species and the reasons for their selection will be stated. These species shall be selected because their population changes are believed to indicate the effects of management activities." (36 CFR 219.19(a)) (Grigg 2012). The U.S. Forest Services has also determined that Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) to be a MIS in National Forests in western Colorado. "The Merriam's turkey is selected as an indicator primarily for mountain shrub (primarily Gambel oak), pinyon-juniper and lower elevation ponderosa pine habitat types, although the species is known to use forest-meadow edges, aspen, and mixed conifer habitats are heavily used during the summer" (Vasquez, 2005). Merriam's wild turkey is typically found in the foothills west of Interstate 25 and on the Western Slope, compared to the Rio Grande turkey, which is found in eastern Colorado (CPW, 2017). For the purpose of this reclamation plan and to be consistent with the U.S. Forest Service, wildlife habitat will be developed to specifically encourage and protect both elk and wild turkey habitat. References to turkey or wild turkey in this document shall refer specifically to the Merriam's wild turkey. The forest service has concluded that if these two species increase in population, the other wildlife in the area will also flourish. EXISTING CONDITIONS As detailed in Exhibit H, the permit area provides habitat for several big game species. Elk and mule deer are common in this area as are black bear and mountain lion. Common small game species include wild turkey, mourning dove and cottontail rabbit. Nongame wildlife species include rodents and midsized predators such as coyote, bobcat, red fox, weasel and badger. The project area also provides nesting and forage habitat for raptor species. The project area has been identified by CPW within elk summer and winter range and within a landscape that provides migration corridors on ridges and in drainages. The project area is also within black bear summer and fall concentration area, black bear human conflict area, and mountain lion overall range and human conflict area. The most important big game habitat within the project area is winter range, because most deer and elk herds in the state are limited by the quality and quantity of winter range. The most important winter range in the project area is in the lower elevations, in open shrublands, especially on south-facing slopes where browse shrubs are most abundant and most accessible during periods of deep snow. The important winter range areas north of the creek will remain undisturbed. The area to be mined does not include areas of elk and deer winter range because most of the area is dense forest cover on north facing slopes and higher elevation. This reclamation plan was specifically designed to provide elk, deer, and wild turkey habitat that Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application March 20, 2018 E-15