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CT °Rq„ COLORADO RECEIVED <br /> C. <br /> Parks and Wildlife <br /> �,•,� ° JAN 0 7 2020 <br /> Department of Natural Resources <br /> Meeker Service Center DIVISION OF RECLAMATION <br /> PO Box 1181 173485 Hwy 64 MINING&SAFETY <br /> Meeker,Colorado 81641 <br /> P 970.878.6090 I F 970.878.6077 <br /> Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety <br /> "—?Stephanie J. Mitchell <br /> 1313 Sherman Street Rm. 215 <br /> Denver, Colorado 80203 <br /> Re: Skull Creek File No M-2019-054 <br /> Dear Ms. Mitchell: <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Uinta Mining Skull Creek Sand <br /> Mining Project. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has a statutory responsibility to manage all <br /> wildlife species in Colorado. This responsibility is embraced and fulfilled through CPW's <br /> mission to perpetuate the wildlife resources of Colorado and to provide sustainable outdoor <br /> recreation opportunities that educate and inspire future generations. In coordination with <br /> other efforts, we fulfill this mission by responding to requests for comments on developments <br /> that could impact wildlife. <br /> Providing for wildlife when planning land use is economically sound. Hunting, fishing, and <br /> wildlife watching generated the following estimated numbers in the Northwest Region of <br /> Colorado during 2017 alone (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, CPW, 2017): <br /> • A total economic output of $536,000,000 <br /> • State It local taxes estimated at $37,000,000 <br /> • Supported approximately 4,701 jobs <br /> The Skull Creek Sand Mining Project covers an area that CPW has mapped as the following: <br /> elk winter concentration area; elk severe winter range; mule deer winter concentration area; <br /> mule deer severe winter range; pronghorn overall range; pronghorn winter range; pronghorn <br /> perennial water source. The following definitions apply to all three species: <br /> • Winter Concentration Area: that part of the winter range of a species where densities <br /> are at least 200% greater than the surrounding winter range density during the average <br /> five winters out of ten from the first heavy snowfall to spring green-up. <br /> • Severe Winter Range: that part of the range of a species where 90% of the individuals <br /> are located when the annual snow pack is at its maximum and/or temperatures are at <br /> a minimum in the two worst winters out of ten. <br /> /7 C\ 'P"; <br /> Dan Prenzlow,Director,Colorado Parks and Wildlife•Parks and Wildlife Commission:Michelle Zimmerman,Chair•Marvin McDaniel,Vice-Chair o' <br /> James Vigil,Secretary•Taishya Adams•Betsy Blecha•Robert W.Bray•Charles Garcia•Marie Haskett•Carrie Besnette Hauser•Luke B.Schafer•Eden Vardy *', ' '*l <br /> }X876,% <br />