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STATE OF COLORADO Biil Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Bruce McCloskey, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: 1303) 297-1192 May 23, 2005 Jim Stover J.E. Stover and Associates 2768 Compass Drive Grand Junction, CO 81506 Mr. Stover, For l~Idlife- ForPeople This letter is in response to your request for wildlife reporting needs for a mined lands permitting application to develop a gravel pit for Encana Oil and Gas. The gravel pit will be located in Garfield County, north of the West Pazachute creek falls, and south of the Divide road within sections 3, 4. During an initial site visit to the location on May Sa', 2005, observations were made that the initial site wnstruction had already been completed, which included the road, and leveling of the site. The topography of the azea is quite unique, with ravines and canyons which are comprised mainly of mountain shrub and sage communities, at approximately 8,000 ft. elevation.. The site does fall within We greater sage grouse brood rearing habitat denoted by the Division of Wildlife's (DOW) WRIS mapping. This critical azea for rearing of young sage grouse is of concern to the DOW for furthering the population of this species. Concerns may arise that the steep slopes from the gravel pit may move sediment into this habitat. The noise and activity levels may hinder future use of portions of the habitat as well. The DOW would recommend to limit noise and operations azound June and July while birds aze utilizing these azeas. The aquatic environment of the stream systems within the west fork, and main stem of Pazachute creek aze also important for many wildlife species. Sediment loads from the pit azea may have negative effects to the aquatic environment. Erosion monitoring should be considered to assist with concerns in this regazd. Since site prepazations have already taken place, most initial wildlife concerns, such as location can not be addressed. The site location will need sufficient reclamation to remedy the concerns of brood habitat. Reclamation may include slope alignatent and native vegetation at rates of adjacent landscapes. Thank you for allowing us to make recommendations and work to promote prosperous wildlife populations. Sincerely, Dean RiggG~ Area Wildlife Manager ce. John Bredehoft, Ron Velarde, JT Romatzke, John Toolen DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Ken Torres, Secretary Members, Robert Bray • Rick Ens[rom • Philip James • Claire O'Neal • Richard Ray • Robert Shoemaker Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament