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Rifle Gravel Pit #1 Maicii 2021 <br /> The anticipated indirect impacts of mine development could result in an insignificant and <br /> temporary degradation of potential habitat for the orchid in the vicinity of the Project but <br /> would be minimized by CDPHE-mandated stormwater controls. Therefore, the Proposed <br /> Action "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. <br /> 9.3 Seasonal Use of the Area <br /> The project occurs in mesic wet meadows and pastures. Most of the affected area has seen <br /> extensive development activities associated with grazing management, including trenching, <br /> disking, irrigation, and fence construction, and the habitats are already significantly <br /> disturbed.Animal species that are tolerant of, or habituate to, human activity persist in the <br /> area, and use the property on an intermittent and seasonal basis. The level of human <br /> disturbance is sufficiently great to preclude permanent occupancy of the parcel by wildlife <br /> species of concern. <br /> The area is seasonally used by the following species (based on CPW&COGCC RSO/SWH <br /> habitat data): <br /> • Bald Eagle (Winter Forage, Winter Range) <br /> • Elk (Severe Winter Range, Overall Range) <br /> • Mule Deer(Resident Population Area, Severe Winter Range, Winter Concentration <br /> Area, Winter Range, Overall Range) <br /> • Wild Turkey (Winter Concentration Area, Winter Range, Overall Range) <br /> Figure 13 through Figure 17Figure 16 depict the CPW wildlife habitat maps and seasonal <br /> uses of the area. Figure 17 depicts the USFWS Endangered Species Habitat. <br /> 9.4 Effects to Wildlife <br /> Mining will remove vegetation in phases allowing incidental use of the site by wildlife, if <br /> needed. Wildlife will likely avoid the parcel entirely once mining development commences, <br /> and the existing level of casual use will be displaced to adjacent unimpacted habitats along <br /> the southern bank of the Colorado River. It is expected that the itinerant species will <br /> continue to utilize surrounding habitats given the small area of the mine. After reclamation, <br /> the property will be converted back to irrigated pasture. However, the existing mosaic of <br /> meadows and riparian woodland will not be recovered, and the property will support a much <br /> less complex environment dominated by agricultural cultivars. This could continue to provide <br /> winter grazing habitat for elk and mule deer, although the habitat quality would be low due to <br /> a lack of woody cover vegetation. Wild Turkey would likely abandon the parcel. Bald eagle <br /> foraging is concentrated along the Colorado River, and would be minimally impacted by the <br /> proposed development. Most small mammal and passerine bird species will be able to <br /> resume use of the area once reclamation is complete; the longest-term potential habitat <br /> detractor will be persistence by noxious weeds. <br /> Scott will leave the construction perimeter berm in place along the east, north, and western <br /> portions of the property for the reclaimed condition. Note the height of the berm may change <br /> to achieve a balance for prohibiting fish passage on/off the property and safe wildlife access. <br /> See the attached revised drawings (Attachment A). <br /> 37 <br />