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and historic range for greater prairie-chicken, and the estimated occupied range for lesser <br /> prairie-chicken. Both mule deer and whitetail deer are regularly observed in the area of the <br /> proposed project. In addition, the proposed gravel pit falls within habitat of other species of <br /> wildlife including burrowing owls, other raptors, pheasants, songbirds, coyotes, bats, prairie <br /> dogs, and other small mammals. <br /> The State of Colorado lists the lesser prairie-chicken as a State Threatened Species under <br /> state law. As of March 27, 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the <br /> Northern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of lesser prairie-chickens as threatened under the <br /> Endangered Species Act of 1973. The proposed Roberts Pit falls within the Northern DPS of <br /> lesser prairie-chickens as defined by the USFWS. The USFWS will be the agency responsible for <br /> the management of lesser-prairie chicken with the recent listing. Colorado is a partner in the <br /> Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide <br /> Conservation Plan and follows the recommendations in that plan when commenting on <br /> development in lesser prairie-chicken habitat. At the core of these recommendations are <br /> conservation efforts that emphasize habitat quality, avoid development in focal areas, and <br /> avoid impacts to leks. <br /> The parcel for the proposed gravel pit falls within the estimated occupied range for lesser <br /> prairie-chicken. Lek surveys in the area have not shown any active leks on the proposed <br /> gravel pit; however important focal areas are located five-mites to the northeast and <br /> approximately six-miles to the north of the proposed gravel pit. <br /> Burrowing owls are listed as State Threatened and nest in active or inactive prairie dog <br /> (black-tailed or white-tailed) burrows. The proposed gravel pit parcel does not contain any <br /> active or historic prairie dog colonies. Potential impacts to burrowing owls will be low due to <br /> the absence of prairie dog colonies and quality nesting habitat. <br /> Impacts to other wildlife, especially mule deer, whitetail deer and pronghorn, will be <br /> disturbance and displacement from habitat loss, increased human activity, and activity <br /> produced by heavy machinery. Wildlife will frequent the area less. <br /> If the proposed gravel pit will be fenced to keep domestic livestock out, please consider a <br /> fence that would allow for easy passage by wildlife. CPW recommends the following four-wire <br /> fence: 1. Smooth top wire no higher than 42-inches to allow deer to easily jump, 2. Second <br /> wire (can be barbed) at 30-inches to prevent entanglement of wildlife, 3. Third wire (can be <br /> barbed) at 23-inches, and 4. Smooth bottom wire at least 16-inches high to allow pronghorn <br /> to cross below. <br /> Noxious weeds pose a threat to native wildlife habitat anytime the soil is disturbed. Please <br /> consider monitoring and controlling any noxious weeks that may become present on the <br /> proposed site to avoid further damage and the spreading of such noxious weeds. <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />