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~C$/28/97 18:51 $` • • ¢J 001 <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Roy Romer, Governor <br />DEPARTTAFNT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN C-0141 dT011TlRR'/ E1JR.OYEn <br />.kiln w. Mumma, ()iretDDf <br />60a0 Broadvray <br />Darner, Caloredo 80276 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-T 792 <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 />Denver, CO 80203 <br />F r' <br />RE~~N~~ e <br />pMG. <br />IZE: Lorencito Canyon Mine (Permit No. G96-084) <br />Dear Mr. Gorham: <br />REFER TO <br />For Wildlife - <br />For Pcuplc <br />D gy ~~: <br />FHB 26 x997 <br />c~~ . <br />The Division of Wildlife (CROW) has reviewed the I.orenctto Canyon Mine application, <br />specifically the Aquatic and Wildlife Technical Report and the Operations and Reclamations Plans <br />2.05.1-205.6(2). The following is a summary ~f our comments relative to proposed <br />surface/underground mining activity as it impacts fish and wildlife resources. <br />'lhe 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. Hutnan/wildlife conflicts have <br />increased significantly in recent years, and further displacement of wildlife is expected to <br />exacerbate this problem. <br />Although the technical reports provide a satisfactory overview, it appears that breeding bird <br />surveys were not conducted in riparian areas to any significant degree- Considering the relative <br />importance of this habitat type, it is unclear why these ttteas were not sampled to a greater ex[en[_ <br />In addition, it is difficult to determine if raptor nest suurveys were specifitally 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, this portal is located 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 conduced for aquatic species, no <br />surveys were conducted to determine the relative abundance of woodhouse's toad on the permit <br />area. in addition, no impacts to these species were addressed, and no mitigation, if feasible, was <br />suggested. <br />DEPARTMENT OF NgTU RaL RESOURCES, James S. Lochheatl, Fxacutlve Dhecror <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Amoltl Salazar. Gharrmen • Rebecca L. Frank. Vice Chair • Mark Levalley. Sacratary~ <br />Louts F. Swift Member • Jesse Langston Boyd. Jr.. Member <br />William R. Negberg, Member .John Stulp, Member .James R. Long, Member <br />