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Descriptions offish and wildlife resources are contained in Section 2.04.11 of the PAP. The fish and <br /> wildlife portion of the reclamation plan is in Section 2.05 of the PAP. Other wildlife related <br /> information is contained in Section 4.18, Exhibit 11 and Maps 13, 13A, 13B, 14, 14A, 15, ISA, and <br /> 15B of the PAP. <br /> With the expansion of mining into the South Taylor area, the Colorado Division of Parks and <br /> Wildlife expressed concerns regarding the re-establishment of mountain shrub and aspen <br /> communities, varying topsoil replacement depths to increase diversity, and developing snow holding <br /> sites (letter dated July 5, 2007). These concerns were addressed in TR-72 (approved June 2009) and <br /> in TR-84 (approved July 2011). <br /> Locations of possible raptor nesting sites within the Collom area have been included in the maps <br /> discussed in this section. Potential raptor nest sites that could possibly be impacted by mine related <br /> activities will be relocated to a nearby area not targeted for disturbance. In the Collom area, no <br /> designated critical habitat for any species is known to exist. <br /> A. Deer and Elk <br /> Colowyo has worked closely with the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife in developing wildlife <br /> and range condition inventories for the Mine as well as a deer and elk habitat mitigation plan. The <br /> entire permit area is designated as winter range for both mule deer and elk. <br /> B. Sage Grouse <br /> Sage grouse mitigation measures include elimination of grazing in the permit area and reduction of <br /> grazing in adjacent lands. As described in other sections of this document, with TR-82, Colowyo <br /> provided a detailed plan for the variable replacement depth of topsoil on the backfilled and re-graded <br /> portions of the West Pit and South Taylor Pit. Related to the variable topsoil, Colowyo designed a <br /> seeding program whereas flatter slopes were seeded to sagebrush steppe, which is known to enhance <br /> sage grouse habitat. In the Collom Area, two greater sage-grouse and two Columbian sharp-tailed <br /> grouse lek sites would be impacted by mining disturbances. Based on survey information captured <br /> and discussed in Section 2.04.11(4), 2.05.4, and 2.05.6(2) of Volume 15 in the PAP,the impact to the <br /> overall grouse populations in the area can reasonably be described as minor. <br /> C. Golden Eagles and Other Raptors <br /> Several species of raptors were observed by contractor personnel (VTN, Colorado, Inc.) during <br /> baseline data collection in 19741977; many were year-round residents (Section 2.04.11 of the PAP). <br /> Golden eagle nests were sighted along Good Spring Creek within the permit area. Raptor sightings <br /> are shown on Maps 15 and ISA of the PAP. Limited surveys have been conducted since 1977. <br /> Locations of possible raptor nesting sites within the Collom area have also been included in the <br /> 51 <br /> Permit Revision No.5(PR-05),G 1981-019 <br />