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Page 12 <br /> 6.4.8 EXHIBIT H -Wildlife Information <br /> Any planned regional civilian recreational intrusion into the remaining secluded wildlife <br /> habitat of the riverine areas should be discouraged. Trails are best placed above the <br /> riverine habitat, unless a wildlife void is desired. Where recreational trails are desired, <br /> placement should be along banks with greater urban development, with designed <br /> setbacks for encroachment on trails from further development. <br /> The imitation of reclamation and restoration experience from operations such as this <br /> can be used in diverse applications in urban-centric endeavors. Methods might include <br /> the encouragement of native grasses and plants for landscapes, or as a means to <br /> invigorate habitat along recreational trails; while allowing vast areas to remain as a <br /> means to invigorate the impacted portions of trails already made comparatively sterile <br /> from frequent human visitation. <br /> For the stretch of the South Platte River, the South Bank would appear the most <br /> amenable for such a design. Without similar sensitivity in the expansion of trails, <br /> reduction of paved roadways and decreased densities of human habitat, the urban <br /> matrix will certainly come to accomplish what good practices at this location attempts to <br /> avoid and reverse. Trails and urban development must not intrude in a manner that <br /> would prevent the extraction of a valuable mineral deposit. There is a compelling <br /> interest for all citizens of the State of Colorado to reserve these areas to assure their <br /> continued economic vitality. <br /> Planned reclamation at the Two Rivers Project is well correlated with both state and <br /> federal perspectives, and will serve to provide a number of benefits to the community <br /> and to various wildlife species, especially waterfowl; including a return of native <br /> vegetation, cover, edge effect and creation of water bodies that will serve as additional <br /> sources for food, cover, and resting surfaces. The planned seed mixture will further <br /> add to the diversity of height, form, color and function of the resulting vegetative cover. <br /> An inspection of the location for any potential Preble's meadow jumping mouse and Ute <br /> ladies' tresses orchid was performed on 18 March 2020; as detailed in a report of 21 <br /> July 2018, by Ron Beane, Senior Wildlife Biologist, and Moneka Worah, Natural <br /> Resources Specialist with ERO Resources Corp. Subsequent review by U.S. Fish and <br /> Wildlife Service has been pending ever since. An updated report of 24 March 2022 has <br /> been submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and we anticipate their review and <br /> approval as early as this Spring, 2022. Both reports are included at the back of this <br /> Exhibit. <br /> Recent policy of the Division of Parks and Wildlife (DOP&W) no longer provides for a <br /> pre-submittal report. Regardless, District Wildlife Manager, Mike Grooms; visited the <br /> location on 29 September 2021, to discuss and orient to the potential influences and <br /> benefits that the planned project extraction and concurrent reclamation may have on <br /> VARRA COMPANIES, INC. TWO RIVERS SAND GRAVEL AND RESERVOIR PROJECT MARCH 2O22 <br /> A REGULAR IMPACT[1121 CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION-COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MIING&SAFETY <br /> OFFICE OF MINED LAND RECLAMATION <br />