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9.4 Effects to Wildlife <br /> Mining will remove the surface vegetation in phases; however wildlife will likely avoid the <br /> parcel entirely once mining development commences, and the existing level of casual use <br /> will be displaced to adjacent unimpacted habitats along the southern bank of the Colorado <br /> River. It is expected that the itinerant species will continue to utilize surrounding habitats <br /> given the small area of the mine. After reclamation, the property will remain as a pond, with <br /> a narrow wetland perimeter and surrounding upland berms and buffers. This pond may <br /> provide attractive habitat for waterfowl species. The existing mosaic of wet meadows and <br /> riparian woodland that surround the Permitted Area will remain, and it is expected that <br /> wildlife will rapidly recolonize this area once the disruption caused by mining activities <br /> ceases. The project represents a small and temporary loss of winter grazing habitat for elk <br /> and deer, which would be largely recovered after operations cease. Wild Turkey have not <br /> been seen on the parcel, but would likely respond similarly to the large ungulates (temporary <br /> avoidance followed by recolonization). Bald eagle foraging is concentrated along the <br /> Colorado River and would be minimally impacted by the proposed development. No bald <br /> eagle activity has been observed on parcel during extensive site visits during all seasons. <br /> Most small mammal and passerine bird species will be able to resume use of the area once <br /> reclamation is complete; the longest-term potential habitat detractor will be the persistence <br /> of the existing noxious weed populations that exist outside the Permitted Area. <br /> Scott will leave the perimeter berm in place around the property for the reclaimed condition. <br /> Figure 14, Exhibit E1, and Figure 15, Exhibit E2 depict the reclamation plan and berm, <br /> and the reclamation phases and conditions, respectively. <br /> 9.5 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Consultation <br /> The final conditions plan (Figure 11, Exhibit C6) shows a Typical Detail for the pond with a <br /> maximum 3:1 slope for the deeper portions of the pond, and a 5:1 slope for a 6-foot <br /> perimeter around the pond edge (based upon the estimated groundwater levels). Scott will <br /> leave the perimeter berm in place as part of the reclaimed condition. See Figure 14, Exhibit <br /> E1. <br /> 54 <br />