2025-03-14_PERMIT FILE - M2025016 (26)

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Natural Resources Assessment P125 Gravel Mine - Southwest of State Highway 66 and County Road 17 Weld County, Colorado ERO Project #24-180 ii ERO Resources Corporation Executive Summary Raptor Materials retained ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) to provide a natural resources assessment for the P125 Gravel Mine property (project) southwest of the intersection of State Highway 66 and County Road 17 in Longmont, Weld County, Colorado (project area). ERO assessed the project area for potential wetlands and other waters of the U.S., threatened and endangered species habitat, natural resources, and general wildlife use. Below is a summary of the resources found at the project area and recommendations or future actions necessary based on the current site conditions and federal, state, and local regulations. The natural resources and associated regulations described in this report are valid as of the date of this report and may be relied upon for the specific use for which it was prepared by ERO under contract to Raptor Materials. Because of their dynamic natures, site conditions and regulations should be reconfirmed by a qualified consultant before relying on this report for a use other than that for which ERO was contracted. Wetlands and Other Waters of the U.S. – During the 2024 site visit, 5 wetlands and 27 unnamed agricultural ditches were found in the project area. Wetland 1 through Wetland 5 are unnamed perennial tributaries that hydrologically connect to St. Vrain Creek in the northern portion of the project area. The 27 unnamed agricultural ditches used for agricultural irrigation are in the southern portion of the project area. Agricultural Ditch 13 through Agriculture Ditch 26 drains into Agriculture Ditch 27. Agricultural ditches are typically exempt and considered nonjurisdictional. If any work is planned in the unnamed agricultural ditches in the project area, a jurisdictional determination should be requested from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). If the wetlands or unnamed agricultural ditches are considered jurisdictional and work is planned in any of these areas, a Section 404 Permit would be required from the Corps for the placement of dredged or fill material in wetlands or below the ordinary high water mark. If no work is planned in any of these areas, no Corps action is necessary. Threatened and Endangered Species – The project area contains habitat for the eastern black rail, a federally listed threatened species. Should the project involve habitat-disturbing activities, consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) would be required. If project activities would occur outside of the suitable habitat for the eastern black rail, ERO recommends submitting a habitat assessment to the Service requesting confirmation that the project would have no adverse impacts on any federally listed threatened or endangered species. Prairie Dogs – The northern portion of the project area contains a black-tailed prairie dog colony, with some portions extending beyond the project area. Weld County does not have any regulations or policies pertaining to prairie dogs, thus if prairie dog removal becomes necessary, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) protocol will be followed. CPW recommends removing the prairie dogs in a humane manner before any earthwork or construction takes place. Burrowing Owls – Burrowing owls could be impacted by the project if work would occur within the CPW-recommended 0.125-mile (660-foot) buffer of any prairie dog burrows (CPW 2020). Prairie dog burrows occur in the project area and within 660 feet of the project area. If work would occur within the recommended buffer of any burrow during the breeding season (March through October), a burrowing owl survey should be conducted. If owls are present in the project area, activities should be restricted within 660 feet of nest burrows until the owls have migrated from the site, which can be determined through monitoring. The prairie dog colony that is separated from the project area by St.