2018-12-12_REVISION - M2018016 (7)

Home Browse Search

1 ' opportunities. CDW indicated that the proposed location of the DMRM could pp p p co d ' adversely impact three potentially endangered species: (a) the bighorn sheep herd, (b) the Peregrine falcon-nest buffer, and (c) the winter elk range. 22 The bighorn sheep is Colorado's official animal and the symbol of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The Georgetown bighorn sheep herd is one of the largest and most important (Table 3). It is often used by CPW as a source population for sheep ' introduction throughout the state and in other states, as well.23 CPW indicated that the DMRM would have significant impacts on the migration, lambing, and wintering habitats of the local herd if significant measures were not taken. ' CPW and the US Forest Service have spent considerable time and effort in applying measures to ensure that the Georgetown bighorn sheep herd will prosper. In 2009, ' the CPW published an extensive Bighorn Sheep Management plan describing steps to be taken over the subsequent ten years to protect the herds.24 ' In 2014,the US Forest Service specifically introduced measures to boost the bighorn sheep population near Empire by clearing brush, thinning trees and potentially instituting a burn so that the bighorn sheep population could migrate more easily. ' Bighorn sheep rely on visual communication to maintain herd dynamics and avoid predators. The proposed Blue Creek Bighorn Sheep Improvement Project west of Empire was to include treatment of up to 495 acres.25 In a similar vein, CDOT ' commissioned a study to investigate the feasibility of constructing wildlife overpasses for I-70 to mitigate ecological damage along the 1-70 mountain ' corridor.26 These measures indicate the importance given to the Georgetown Bighorn Sheep ' population, clearly a Colorado state priority due to its iconic significance. Bighorn sheep are valued for their environmental importance as well as for opportunities provided for hunting and wildlife viewing. By contrast, DMRM indicated in their ' discussions with CDW that the herd did not occupy the meadow to be mined and suggested minor changes to ensure that the sheep did not come into collision with vehicles.27 According to analysis by Clear Creek County: "In warm months they ' graze on mountain slopes and in colder months they move down into the valleys."28 ' 22 https:/Idocs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a614ea 1fae5810903b438ab94dd9Sb8d5bcf4c pdf 23 https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3836202 24htt s: cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/Mammals/ColoradoBighornSheepM anagementPlan2009-2019.pdf 25 https://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1433?filelD=924 26 https://www.codot.gov/projects/i- 70 mountaincorri d or/documents/I 70wildl ifeoverpassscreeningreport.pdf 27 Interestingly,there is a sign on the access road to I-70 directly across from the proposed ' DMRM indicating a big horn sheep crossing. 28 https://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/2528 11