2021-02-03_REVISION - M2020008 (4)

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Rifle :;ravel Pit #1 January 2021 ,Amendment to Ile No M-2020-008) The anticipated indirect impacts of mine development could result in an insignificant and temporary degradation of potential habitat for the orchid in the vicinity of the Project but would be minimized by CDPHE-mandated stormwater controls. Therefore, the Proposed Action "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. 9.3 Seasonal Use of the Area The project occurs in mesic wet meadows and pastures. Most of the affected area has seen extensive development activities associated with grazing management, including trenching, disking, irrigation, and fence construction, and the habitats are already significantly disturbed. Animal species that are tolerant of, or habituate to, human activity persist in the area, and use the property on an intermittent and seasonal basis. The level of human disturbance is sufficiently great to preclude permanent occupancy of the parcel by wildlife species of concern. The area is seasonally used by the following species (based on CPW& COGCC RSO/SWH habitat data): • Bald Eagle (Winter Forage, Winter Range) • Elk (Severe Winter Range, Overall Range) • Mule Deer (Resident Population Area, Severe Winter Range, Winter Concentration Area, Winter Range, Overall Range) • Wild Turkey (Winter Concentration Area, Winter Range, Overall Range) Figures 12 through 15 depict the CPW wildlife habitat maps and seasonal uses of the area. Figure 16 depicts the USFWS Endangered Species Habitat. 9.4 Effects to Wildlife Mining will remove vegetation in phases allowing incidental use of the site by wildlife, if needed. Wildlife will likely avoid the parcel entirely once mining development commences, and the existing level of casual use will be displaced to adjacent unimpacted habitats along the southern bank of the Colorado River. It is expected that the itinerant species will continue to utilize surrounding habitats given the small area of the mine. After reclamation, the property will be converted back to irrigated pasture. However, the existing mosaic of meadows and riparian woodland will not be recovered, and the property will support a much less complex environment dominated by agricultural cultivars. This could continue to provide winter grazing habitat for elk and mule deer, although the habitat quality would be low due to a lack of woody cover vegetation. Wild Turkey would likely abandon the parcel. Bald eagle foraging is concentrated along the Colorado River, and would be minimally impacted by the proposed development. Most small mammal and passerine bird species will be able to resume use of the area once reclamation is complete; the longest-term potential habitat detractor will be persistence by noxious weeds. SCI will leave the construction perimeter berm in place along the east, north, and western portions of the property for the reclaimed condition. Note the height of the berm may change to achieve a balance for prohibiting fish passage on/off the property and safe wildlife access. See the attached revised drawings (Attachment A). 37