2021-06-30_PERMIT FILE - M2021044

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timeline of 30-years, with mining being broken into three 350-acre phases and one 260-acre phase. That the area affected will be 100-acres increments with reclamation following the completion of each 100-acres. When the mining and reclamation plans are available, CPW would appreciate the opportunity to review these plans. CPW has reviewed the provided permit application and completed a site visit of the proposed project. The current land use of the property for the proposed Mattics Pit is majority rangeland with a small percentage of dryland farm ground. The rangeland vegetation is dominated by native shortgrass prairie species with a small shrub component comprised mostly of sand sage (Artemisia filifolia Torr.). The dry North Fork of the Smoky Hill River runs from the north and along the east boundary of the proposed property. Eureka Creek is located on the west boundary of the proposed property. Rangeland or Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) surrounds the remainder of the proposed property. Drytand farm ground is also found nearby. The parcel of the proposed project provides habitat for multiple wildlife species throughout the year. The proposed project falls within the overall range and concentration area for mule deer, overall range and concentration area for whitetail deer, overall range and concentration area pronghorn, overall range for swift fox, historic range for greater prairie- chicken, and the estimated occupied range and CHAT 2 (Connectivity Zone) for lesser prairie- chicken. In addition, the proposed project falls within habitat of other species of wildlife including burrowing owls, other raptors, coyotes, songbirds, bats, and other small mammals. The State of Colorado lists the lesser prairie-chicken as a State Threatened Species under state law. A decision from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is due in May of 2021 on a petition to list the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered and to determine whether protection for the species under the ESA is warranted. Colorado is a partner in the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan and follows the recommendations in that plan when commenting on development in lesser prairie-chicken habitat. At the core of these recommendations are conservation efforts that emphasize habitat quality, avoid development in focal areas, and avoid impacts to leks. The parcel for the proposed project falls within the CHAT 2 or Connectivity Zone for lesser He parcel designated as CHAT 2 priority-area area (Con Zone means the p P y- - ( y _�_�_ parcel is important for the movement of lesser prairie-chickens between CHAT 1 priority areas (Focal Areas). Lek surveys in the area have not shown any active leks on the proposed property for the Mattics Pit; however, the proposed property for the Mattics Pit falls between two important focal areas for lesser prairie-chickens. The first focal area is located approximately 3-miles to the east and the second is located approximately 10.5-miles to the northwest of the proposed project. The large size (1,313-acres) of the proposed Mattics Pit has the potential to disrupt movements of less prairie-chickens between focal areas. With the proposed project falling within the connectivity zone of lesser prairie-chickens, CPW recommends the following: 1. Limit disturbance area size and reclaim disturbance areas prior to continuing to next disturbance area to minimize potential impacts. Page 2 of 4