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' harles K. Curlee July 13, 1977 Page Two' RE: Baseline Biological Inventory Hayden Gulch W.R. Grace Mine since 1970 when the first environmental conjunction with the energy development Greg Pruett with the Department of Fish has been studying the lower ]ampa River under Dr. C. Carlson. There also is a Holden that discusses fish distribution studies were undertaken in in Northwestern Colorado. and Wildlife Biology at CSU as part of a graduate program published thesis by Dr. Paul in Western Colorado. On page 76 mention is made of the peregrine falcon and that all the recent reported nesting sites being on the eastern slope. There was a confirmed nest on the west slope in Northwestern Colorado this past spring. There are also several nests in other parts of western Colorado. On page 77 the author or editor of A Look BacY. should be Feltner not Felten. There are many good things about the baseline inventory. The vegetation section appears to be adequate and indicates the diversity of habitats that are available and that must be re-established when reclamation is completed. The contact with Division of wildlife personnel appears to be a valuable information source for most of the wildlife information. The lack of actual field work in conjunction with this baseline inventory is very obvious. The on site study is what is needed to assess the changes and impacts of the mine on the ecosystems found in the area. The destruction of the valuable habitat present will reduce the numbers of all species of wildlife in the area. There possibly ~oill be areas where development of mitigation techniques can be employed to reduce the impacts of damaged ecosystems. Possibly some buffer zones of extremely sensitive or valuable habitat can be left or unmined until some of the reclamation work has begun. I know that my review of the baseline inventory is rather critical. I feel that this area and the associated habitat is more valuable for wildlife than the baseline inventory indicates. The study that was done by the cooperative unit of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University shows the importance of this lease area for wildlife. The tract A-2 in this area had a rank of 2 out of 37. I feel that this rank shows the diversity, value and critical importance of this area for many species of wildlife. The Division of Wildlife appreciates the opportunity to review the baseline inventory and to comment on the information. I am looking forward to the field tour with you and Cass Legal of W. R. Grace some- time this month. Sincerely, ~ ~ / Thomas Y,. [{enry, J Wildlife Biologist TKH:jg / cc: Barrows, Taliaferro,~/Cass Legal, Hector