2022-04-04_PERMIT FILE - M2022013 (42)

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Page 11 6.4.8 EXHIBIT H -Wildlife Information (1) In developing the wildlife information, the Operator/Applicant may wish to contact the local wildlife conservation officer. The Operator/Applicant shall include in this Exhibit, a description of the game and non-game resources on and in the vicinity of the application area, including: (a) a description of the significant wildlife resources on the affected land; (b) seasonal use of the area; (c) the presence and estimated population of threatened or endangered species from either federal or state lists; and (d) a description of the general effect during and after the proposed operation on the existing wildlife of the area, including but not limited to temporary and permanent loss of food and habitat, interference with migratory routes, and the general effect on the wildlife from increased human activity, including noise. (2) The application may be reviewed and commented upon by the State of Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). If the DOW has comments, they must be provided prior to the end of the public comment period specified in Subsection 1.7.1(2)(a) to be considered by the Board and Office. Wildlife residents and visitors observed on area lands, but not on site at the time of the inspection, include the occasional fall/winter roosting of Bald Eagle on nearby mature cottonwood trees, but with no evidence of nesting. Other resident birds of prey have been seen in the area, including hawks and owls. Game species such as wild turkey and white-tailed deer will traverse the river bottom, open spaces and fields nearby; as will fur bearers such as bank beaver, fox, racoon, rabbit, squirrels, and other non-game species. No significant impacts to wildlife or habitat loss is anticipated by planned operations due to the abundant natural conditions of the surrounding lands, general expanse of the project area and glacial speed of disturbance during planned operations. Still, like the mechanical attributes of the contemporaneous agricultural fields, temporary displacement of wildlife may occur over the immediate area of affected lands during active operations; while on-site speed limits will be posted at 15 mph to better assure the safety of wildlife in proximity to the activity. The abundant edge effect of surrounding unaffected vegetation along the two rivers and other open areas of the surrounding fields should more than compensate for any annoyance. Extensive operational setbacks from riverine locations provide ample protection to area wildlife within the adjacent riverine locations, while the balance of wildlife is culled on area roadways from increasing densities and unchecked lawlessness of urbanized traffic. Slower enforced speed limits along such corridors and migration routes in general, combined with a perpetual retention of the gravel surface of Weld County Road 396 will help limit wildlife mortality and disturbance. VARRA COMPANIES, INC. TWO RIVERS SAND GRAVEL AND RESERVOIR PROJECT MARCH 2O22 A REGULAR IMPACT[1121 CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION-COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MIING&SAFETY OFFICE OF MINED LAND RECLAMATION