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Natural Resources Assessment <br />P125 Gravel Mine - Southwest of State Highway 66 and County Road 17 <br />Weld County, Colorado <br /> <br />ERO Project #24-180 iii <br />ERO Resources Corporation <br />Vrain Creek and the riparian corridor may have enough visual separation from the project area for <br />burrowing owl surveys to not be required at this location even though the project area is within 660 <br />feet. <br />Migratory Birds – No bird nests were observed during the 2024 site visit; however, trees, shrubs, and <br />upland grasslands in the project area provide potential nesting habitat. The Eastern Colorado Field <br />Office of the Service and Colorado Department of Transportation have identified the primary nesting <br />season for migratory birds in eastern Colorado as occurring from April 1 to August 31 (Beane and <br />Salamack 2021; Colorado Department of Transportation 2011). However, some birds, such as the red- <br />tailed hawk and great horned owl, can nest as early as February or March. Because of variability in the <br />breeding seasons of various bird species, ERO recommends a nest survey be conducted within one <br />week prior to ground-disturbing or vegetation-disturbing activities to determine if any active nests are <br />present in the project area so they can be avoided. If active nests are found, any work that would <br />destroy the nests should not be conducted until the nest fledge or failure has occurred. <br />Bald Eagles – A bald eagle nest has been identified 0.11 mile northeast of the northern project area <br />boundary and could be impacted by the project if a physical object or structure is proposed within the <br />CPW-recommended 0.25-mile radius of active nests permanently or for a significant amount of time <br />(i.e., surface occupancy) or if there would be human encroachment activities within a 0.5-mile radius of <br />an active nest from December 1 through July 31 (CPW 2020). This nest was not observed during the <br />2024 site visit. If surface occupancy cannot be avoided within 0.25 mile of the nest and the nest is <br />located in a highly developed area, then, through consultation with CPW, the recommended no surface <br />occupancy buffer may be reduced to 0.33 mile (660 feet) from the nest site (CPW 2020). CPW <br />recommends seasonal restrictions beyond July 31 if chicks are still present in the nest. CPW has also <br />established recommended buffer zones and seasonal restrictions for eagle winter night roosts and <br />communal roosts. Additionally, bald eagle winter concentration and winter forage area are identified in <br />the project area. If work would occur within the recommended buffer of the active nest or a winter <br />night or communal roost, ERO recommends consulting with the Service to develop a bald eagle <br />mitigation plan. Coordination with CPW may also be appropriate to assess and develop site-specific <br />recommendations based on preexisting conditions. <br />Other Wildlife – The project area occurs in Aquatic Native Species Conservation Waters and Mule Deer <br />Migration Corridors and Severe Winter Range (CPW 2021). No other sensitive species occur in the <br />project area that would be significantly adversely affected by the proposed project. Overall, surrounding <br />and continuing development contributes to a decline in the number and diversity of wildlife species <br />nearby and to a change in species composition.