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Rifle Gravel Pit#1 July 2023 <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, Figure 15, Exhibit F1 and Figure 16, Exhibit F2 depict the <br /> reclamation plan, and the reclamation phases and conditions, respectively. <br /> 9.5 Agency Consultation <br /> As stated Colorado Parks and Wildlife and USFWS provided input on the Rifle Pit#1 project <br /> as part of the Garfield County Land Use Permitting referral agency process. CPW provided <br /> comment letters with recommendations for site design features to mitigate entrapment risk. <br /> All CPW comments have been incorporated into the design. USFWS provided informal <br /> comment on the project, however given the lack of a federal permitting nexus no formal <br /> consultation was necessary or possible. Garfield County requested documentation of the <br /> informal communication with the USFWS, specifically with regard to Colorado River <br /> Endangered Fish protection measures, and that documentation is included in Attachment <br /> C. <br /> 60 <br />