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C O L O R A D O RECEIVED Parks and Wildlife Department of!Natural Resources JAN 0 7 2020 ; Service Cente DIVISION OF RECLAMATI PO 6o..+. 1181 i 73485 H.., ,! MINING&SAFETY Meeker,Colorado 8 164 1 P 9?0,878.6090 ( F 970.878.60?7 Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety --Stephanie J. Mitchell 1313 Sherman Street Rm. 215 . Denver, Colorado 80203 Re: Skull Creek File No(M-2019-054 Dear Ms. Mitchell: \ Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Uinta Mining Skull Creek Sand Mining Project. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has a statutory responsibility to manage all wildlife species in Colorado. This responsibility is embraced and fulfilled through CPW's mission to perpetuate the wildlife resoU ces of Colorado and to provide sustainable outdoor recreation oppor tunities that educate and inspire future generations. In coordination with other efforts, we fulfill this mission by responding to requests for comments on developments that could impact wildlife. Providing for wildlife when planning land use is economically sound. Hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching generated the fotlowing estimated numbers in the Northwest Region of Colorado during 2017 alone (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, CPW, 2017): • A total economic output of $536,000,000 • State Et local taxes estimated at $37,000,000 • Supported approximately 4,701 jobs The Skull Creek Sand Mining Project covers an area that CPW has mapped as the following: elk winter concentration area; elk severe winter range; mule deer winter concentration area; mule deer severe winter range; pronghorn overall range; pronghorn winter range; pronghorn perennial water source. The folto•rring definitions appty to at[ three species: • Winter Concentration Area: that part of the winter range of a species where densities are at least 200% greater than the surrounding winter range density during the average five winters out of ten from the first heavy snowfall to spring green-up. • Severe Winter Range: that part of the range of a species where 90% of the individuals are located when the annual snow pack is at its maximum and/or temperatures are at a minimum in the two worst winters out of ten.