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COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE <br /> Pueblo Office <br /> 600 Reservoir Road - Pueblo, Colorado 81005 <br /> Phone(719)561-5300- FAX(719)561-5321 <br /> wildlife.state.co.us-parks.state.co.us <br /> September 2,2012 <br /> Angela Bellantoni <br /> Environmental Alternatives Inc. <br /> 1107 Main Street <br /> Canon City,CO 81212 <br /> RE:Fremont Paving and Redi Mix Inc.Proposal for Gravel Mine <br /> Dear Ms.Bellantoni, <br /> The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife(CPW)has been solicited to comment on the <br /> development of a gravel mine for the purpose of extracting sand and gravel.The CPW has <br /> reviewed the information that was provided and a site visit was conducted on September 2°d, <br /> 2012 of the property directly south of Olsen Road,between 41 '/2 Lane and 42d Lane,by District <br /> Wildlife Manager(DWM)Quentin Springer. <br /> The site,herein referred to as the Fremont Paving and Redi-Mix Gravel Mine,currently consists <br /> of upland short grass prairie typical of the Arkansas River Valley. Wildlife found in the proposed <br /> area include pronghorn, scaled quail,raptors,neo-tropical bird species,various species of small <br /> mammals as well as various species of reptiles. Currently, livestock are being grazed on the <br /> property. <br /> Potential Impacts to Wildlife <br /> Prairie dog colonies are of particular concern when projects are located in short-grass prairie <br /> habitats. Burrowing owls,a species of concern in Colorado,are typically found within prairie <br /> dog colonies. Federal and state laws prohibit the accidental or intentional harming or killing of <br /> burrowing owls and the destruction of active nests. At the time of his site visit,DWM Springer <br /> was fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the property and no evidence of the presence of <br /> prairie dogs was observed on the hilltops proposed for development. However,an active colony <br /> of prairie dogs is present on the property directly adjacent to the southwest of the development <br /> area. Due to the propensity for prairie dogs to expand their colonies, a more thorough evaluation <br /> of the property is warranted prior to the initiation of mining activities. CPW strongly suggests <br /> thoroughly surveying the entire property and any existing prairie dog towns for burrowing owl <br /> presence prior to construction. Additionally,CPW suggests that construction of the gravel mine <br /> be conducted when no burrowing owls are expected to be present,from November 1'to March <br /> 146. <br /> Please find the attached guidelines which should assist in determining if burrowing owls are <br /> present and what to do if burrowing owls are detected.These guidelines do not guarantee that <br /> burrowing owls will be detected if they are present.However,adherence to these guidelines will <br /> STATE OF COLORADO <br /> John W.Hickenlooper,Governor.Mice King,Exec ubve Director.Department of Natural Resouroes <br /> Rids D.Cables,D MCtDr,Colorado Parks and WkIve <br /> Parks and Wkft Commission:Robert W.Bray•Chris Castilian•Jeanne Home <br /> Bil Kane,We-Chair.Caspar Penioone•James PnW.John sirgletary.Chair <br /> Mark Smith,Seaetary.James Vigil•Dean Wingfield•Michelle Timmerman <br /> Ex Officio Members:No King and John Salazar <br />