2023-08-11_REVISION - M1982044 (18)

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of eroded Precambrian Pikes Peak granite. In the more level valley bottoms that are less subject to erosion,the mineral constituents of the granite can break down to make productive soils. The economic use of the area, prior to mining was limited to stock gazing, and as more people have immigrated to Colorado, additional uses now include home sites, recreation, and businesses. . (b) The permit area has been a gravel pit for over 60 years and at least 20 years prior to Colorado enacting the current reclamation laws. Thus,the pit itself is a historic relic. There are no current historic buildings or permanent structures on the site, and no structures within 200 feet of the permit area. ( c) The permit area is located on the top of a mountain in which the center has been partially cut away. There are no streams, springs, lakes, stock water ponds, ditches, or reservoirs, within the permit area, and none nearby that would receive any increased drainage caused directly by mining from within the affected area. There is no regularly defined aquifer in the general area, and subsurface waters are limited to and directed by cracks and fractures within the granite. (d) The operation has historically had no significant impact on wildlife over its last 60 years of operation, and future operation is expected to have no greater impact. The use by larger foraging animals in the general area is anticipated to remain generally unchanged from routes used prior, and will cause little to no change to animals that burrow or roost in the immediate area. Wildlife anticipated to be in the general area includes species of large mammals: mule deer, elk; small mammals: rodents, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, fox, coyote and ground squirrels; and various resident and seasonal birds including songbirds, raptors and other birds: mountain chickadee,junco, raven, mountain jays, hawks, flicker, magpie, hummingbirds, and owls. The permit is not a 110(d).