2025-11-14_PERMIT FILE - M2025056 ‎(15)‎

• Permit No: M2025056
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 11/14/2025
• Doc Name Note: Exhibit H Wildlife Information
• Doc Name: Application
• From: Highbury Resources Inc
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: DMC
• Email Name: THM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•
STATE OF COLORADO •
illJohn W.Hickenlooper,Governor .c'�� 0�.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES b c
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE �sf ,iP q'
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OA, 'S'
OF
Thomas E. Remington, Director
6060 Broadway For Wildlife-
Denver;Colorado 80216 • For People
Telephone: [phone]
wildlife.state.co.us
May 5,2011
Glenn Williams
Cotter Corporation •
PO Box 700
Nucla,CO 81424
Re: JD-8 Mine,amending original 112 permit#M-1984-014
Dear Mr. Williams, •
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed JD-8 Mine in Montrose County.
We have reviewed the location of the proposed mine. The mine lies within mapped severe winter range for elk,
and mapped winter range for mule deer. Small numbers of mule deer and elk are in the area throughout the year.
The effects on these animals could be significant if new roads are established and habitat is destroyed.
110
Mule deer and elk are particularlysusceptible to disturbance duringwinter months,and the CDOW is concerned
P
that the direct loss of approximately 12 acres of severe winter range and winter range for mining operations,when
added to the cumulative loss of severe winter range from other development activities in the area,could affect
mule deer and elk populations. In order to maintain existing mule deer and elk populations,the CDOW is
recommending that companies such as Cotter Corporation incorporate off-site habitat enhancement projects into
their operations to compensate for the direct loss of severe big game winter range that is associated with their
. projects.
There also could be an indirect loss of severe winter range for mule deer and elk in areas surrounding the mine
due to a decrease in the use of these habitats associated with a general increase in traffic and human activity. In
order to maintain mule deer and elk winter use of the area surrounding the mine,the CDOW suggests
implementing seasonal closures on mining activities between the months of December and April when the largest
concentrations of wintering mule deer and elk are in the area. If seasonal traffic and mining operation closures are
not possible, CDOW suggests performing additional off-site habitat enhancement projects to offset the added
indirect impacts to wintering big game use of severe winter range.
There are approximately 10 different species of bats that inhabit the area. One species in particular,the
Thompsons Big Eared Bat, is considered a species of special concern in Colorado. Active mines have been
shown to have little to no impact on bats due to continuous human activity in and around active mines. However,
inactive mines are often used by bats as either winter roost sites or summer breeding areas. Many of these
inactive mines have"bat gates"on them, allowing bats access and denying human disturbance. If bat gates are
encountered on any mine shafts,the CDOW strongly suggests contacting our field personnel to determine the
time of year bats inhabit the area, and potentially creating seasonal mining closures.
di
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,Mike King,Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION,Tim Glenn,Chair•Robert Streeter,Vice Chair•Mark Smith,Secretary
Members,David R.Brougham•Dorothea Farris•Allan Jones•Gaspar Perricone•John Singletary•Dean Wingfield
Ex Officio Members,Mike King and John Salazar