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<br /> 9/12 <br /> <br />Response: Construction/extraction activities will be necessary throughout the calendar <br />year however, less than 10% of the proposed permit area or less than 450 acres will be <br />impacted at any one time including disturbances in both MTAC and RCQ. Infrastructure <br />and buildings will exist for the life of the mine. Extraction areas will be reclaimed <br />contemporaneously with mining. At no time will wintering bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk <br />and pronghorn be displaced from the entire proposed permit area. <br /> <br />• If adherence to the winter range timing limitation or density recommendations is <br />not possible, as is the case with large scale mining, CPW recommends <br />compensatory mitigation in the form of off-site habitat enhancements or <br />protections to mitigate the direct habitat loss and the functional habitat loss for big <br />game species displaced from the project area. CPW is happy to assist in the <br />identification of potential treatment areas and enhancement options or to discuss <br />other potential opportunities such as, but not limited to; conservation easements <br />or increased public access. <br /> <br />Response: Table 2.4.3-1 Acres Affected per 10 Years projects mining disturbance over <br />the life of the mine. An average of 250 acres will be mined per 10 years for the first 20 <br />years of mining. This leaves 3,300 acres for winter range and big game habitat. <br />Contemporaneous reclamation will commence in Year 20, thus returning 200 acres to <br />wildlife while potentially mining 240 acres into the subsequent 10 years. Because the <br />majority of the proposed permit area will be available for wildlife throughout the life of the <br />mine, conservation easements and off-site habitat enhancements are not warranted. <br /> <br />• CPW appreciates the opportunity to review the 13 wildlife crossings planned for <br />the conveyor belt corridor. CPW recommends one additional wildlife crossing, <br />located between the last planned wildlife crossing and the Northwest corner of the <br />mine. Per discussions with Holcim, there is a possibility to construct a wildlife <br />overpass at this location. CPW is happy to have further conversations on the <br />design of the wildlife crossings. <br /> <br />Response: The recommended crossing is included in the MTAC crossing design. <br /> <br />• CPW recommends that if the property boundary of the mine is going to be fenced, <br />that wildlife friendly fencing is used. The CPW document “Fencing with Wildlife in <br />Mind” is available at our website. CPW appreciates discussions with Holcim about <br />either not fencing the property or using an alternative wildlife friendly fence (such <br />as 3 strands of wire instead of the standard 4 strands). <br /> <br />Response: The perimeter of the mine will be marked with a berm constructed of salvaged <br />topsoil rather than constructing a fence. A three-strand wire fence will be constructed only <br />in the event that topsoil is no longer available for berm construction. <br /> <br />• Due to the use by foraging raptors within the project area and the potential for <br />raptor nest sites within the project boundary, CPW recommends preconstruction <br />surveys for raptor nest sites prior to surface disturbance or vegetation removal. If <br />a nest is located during the survey CPW recommends adherence to the <br />recommendations in the Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions <br />for Colorado Raptors for best management practices to minimize impacts to <br />nesting raptors. <br /> <br />Response: A wildlife survey was performed on August 8-10, 2023. At that time raptor <br />nests were not observed within the proposed permit boundary. Holcim commits to