2024-01-31_REVISION - M1977344 (22)

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Portland Limestone Quarries (M-1977-344) Permit Amendment-02 Holcim US Inc, 3500 Highway 120, Florence, CO 81226 Revised pursuant to preliminary adequacy review November 20, 2023 Phone (719) 288-1443 www.holcim.us 103 The habitat within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary could potentially support mountain plovers, particularly in the vicinity of the known black-tailed prairie dogs if mountain plovers nest away from the colonies. Mountain plovers, while listed as a State species of special concern, are not afforded any legal protection beyond requiring a permit to capture or handle. 2.8.9 Colorado checkered whiptail The native range of the Colorado checkered whiptail is restricted to the Arkansas River drainage of southeastern Colorado. Colorado checkered whiptails occupy a native range restricted to the Arkansas River drainage and its tributaries in southeastern Colorado.  Occupied habitat includes canyons, the vicinity of hillsides, rivers, arroyos, and creeks, as well as heavily altered habitats with slopes. This lizard often is encountered in areas of Ponderosa pine, Gambel’s oak, pinyon-juniper woodland, and shrublands and grasslands with rabbitbrush, cholla, and yucca. Colorado Checkered Whiptails forage opportunistically, and the most common food items for adults are grasshoppers and termites, while spiders and leafhoppers were the primary food items for young lizards. Within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary there are areas of habitat suitable for Colorado checkered whiptails but a large percentage of the habitat in the area is not their preferred habitat. Colorado checkered whiptails are a State species of special concern and are not afforded any legal protection beyond requiring a permit to capture or handle. 2.8.10 Wildlife Impact Mitigation Measures Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) was invited to conduct a site visit on October 19, 2023. The visit included review of project maps, explanation of mine development and contemporaneous reclamation. Upon receipt of CPW’s November 14, 2023, comment letter, Holcim requested a follow up virtual meeting to discuss CPW’s recommendations. Ms. Cassidy English, CPW’s SE Region Land Use Coordinator, represented CPW during the virtual meeting. Ms. English clarified that the recommendations were just that, recommendations, as opposed to mitigation directives. The following wildlife impact mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize and avoid impacts to wildlife. Contemporaneous reclamation is the primary mitigation measure that will minimize impacts to wildlife. Approximately 10% of the proposed permit area, or 450 acres, will be impacted at any one time. This will preserve approximately 4000 acres for wildlife habitat and winter range. 2.8.10.1 Raptors Raptor nests were not observed within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary on August 8, 2023. However, there is a potential for foraging raptors, such as bald and golden eagles, to be present outside the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary. Holcim will conduct raptor surveys to identify areas with raptor nests prior to commencing surface disturbances. If nesting areas are identified, the best management practices outlined in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors (CPW, 2020) guidance will be implemented. 2.8.10.2 Prairie Dogs Prairie dogs were not observed within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary on December 17, 2023. However, prairie dogs were observed to the west of MTAC indicating the possibility for prairie dog colonies to develop within the Mining Permit and Affected Area Boundary in the future. Burrowing owls utilize abandoned prairie dog burrows. Holcim will conduct surveys of burrows within the current mining operation phase in accordance with the CPW Recommended Survey Protocol and Actions to Protect Nesting Burrowing Owls (CPW, 2021). If nesting burrowing owls are identified, the best management practices outlined in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors (CPW, 2020) guidance will be implemented.