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C•2/28/97 18:51 '$ • III IIIIIIIII'IIIIII ~ X001 <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Roy Rom•r, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EOUnL OPPORTVNIIY EMPLO'/ER <br />John W. Mumna, Director <br />6080 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 60216 <br />Telepllane: (303) 297-1792 <br />26 Feb 97 <br />Kent A. Gorham <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman St., Rm.215 <br />Deaver, CO 80203 <br />F~ <br />~~G~\v~oe <br />ON'C' <br />RE: Lorencitu Canyon Mine (Permit No. G96-084) <br />Dear Mr. Gorham: <br />REFER TO <br />cPt10~Oo <br />3~~~ <br />~`1rOF~ <br />For WiJdli(e - <br />For Pcc~rJc <br />Ff8'26199~ <br />C vf(, <br />The Division of Wildlife (CROW) has reviewed the Lorenclto Canyon Mine application, <br />specifically the Aquatic and Wildlife Technical Report and the Operations and Reclamations Plans <br />2_U5.1-2.05.6(2). The following is a stunmary of our comments relative to proposed <br />surface/underground mining activity as it impacts fish and wildlife resources. <br />'17re Aquatic and Wildlife Technical Report provides an adequate overview of the permit area. As <br />is stated in the Report, the permit area lies within elk winter range, deer winter concentration <br />area, turkey winter concentration area, and black bear fall concentration area. These species also <br />utilize the area on a year-long basis. For these reasons, it is understated to say that the area has <br />significant habitat value. This region is also experiencing increased habitat fragmentation due to <br />residential development, and this trend is expected to continue. Human/wildlife conflicts have <br />increased significantly in recent years, and further displacement of wildlife is expected to <br />exacerbate this problern_ <br />Although the technical reporLS provide a satisfactory overview, it appears that breeding bird <br />surveys were not conducted in ripazian areas to any significant degree. Considering the relative <br />importance of this habitat type, it is unclear why these nreas were not sampled to a greater extent. <br />Tn addition, it is difficult to determine if raptor nest surveys were specifically focused around areas <br />of disturbance, particularly portals where mitigation might be feasible. Map 2.04.11-1 does denote <br />numerous nest sites near Portal Pl/P2, however, dtis portal is !orated on an existing roadway. <br />The technical reports also note the presence of woodhouse's toad and flathead chub within the <br />permit area. Woodhouse's toad is a Colorado species of special concern and flathead chubs are a <br />federal "candidate" species- Although surveys were specifically conducted fur aquatic species, no <br />surveys were conducted to determine the relative abundance of woodhouse's toad on the permit <br />area. Tn addition, no impacts to these species were addressed, and no mitigation, if feasible, was <br />suggested. <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James S. Lochh•ad, Execulhro Dlr•cror <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Ameld Salazar, Ghaimran • Rebecca L. Frank. Vica Ghair • Mark Lavalley, Secretary <br />Louis F. Swift. Member • Jesse Langston Boyd, Jr., Member <br />William R. Hogberg, Member • John Stulp, Member • Jamac R. Long, Member <br />