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<br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owerrs, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNnY EMPLOYER <br />Bruce L. McCloskey, Ailing Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Cobrado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />August 18, 2000 <br />Mr. Steve O'Brian <br />Environment, Inc. <br />7985 Vance Drive, Suite 205A <br />Arvada, CO 80003 <br />Re: Concrete Management Corp. sand and gravel mine. <br />Dear Mr. O'Brian: <br />For lUldlifi- <br />ForPeople <br />The following constihrte the comments of the Colorado Division of Wrldlife. Courtney Crawford (District <br />Wildlife Manager) and Mtke Sherman (Field Habitat Biologist) have reviewed your letter sent to us and <br />accompanied you on a field visit to the project site on June 5, 2000. <br />We highly reconurletld that special attention be given to mmmri~e the impact to all riparian vegetation and trees <br />along the river that may be potertially by impacted by the proposed mining operation Bald eagles use this <br />stretch of the South Platte River and adjacent riparian areas during winter and migration seasons for hunting <br />and roosting. VERY IMPORTANT: there is a known active bald eagle nest site adjacent to the confluence of <br />the St. Vrain Creek and South Platte River. We wish to bring to your attention that we observed an irrnnature <br />Bald Eagle which was flushed from a mature cottonwood tree while we drove on the dirt road along the river <br />m the southwestern portion of Section 35. It is very possble that this bird came from the active nest located <br />less than one mile upstream We carmot stress the importance of leaving fully intact the e~osting riparian <br />vegetation and trees along the South Platte River. <br />Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus husonius preblei) and the Ute Ladies' -tresses orchid <br />(Spiranihes deluvialrs), both federally listed as threatened, are found in riparian habitats, including those <br />tributary of the South Platte River. Consequently, both have the potential to occur at the proposed <br />project site. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has established standard survey protocols for determining <br />presence or absence of these species. Evaluations should be performed at and adjacent to the project site <br />to ascertain the potential occurrence of these species. If suitable habitat is present, surveys conducted <br />according to the protocols should be undertaken. Coordination for Preble's should be through Pete Plage <br />and for the orchid through Jan McKee, both in the Lakewood office (303-275-2370). The Colorado <br />butterfly plant is also found in moist floodplain environments along the Front Range and so could occur <br />in the project vicinity. Ahhough no protocols have been established for this species, surveys to ensure it <br />will not be adversely impacted should be undertaken. Questions should be directed to Ms. McKee. <br />Trees and shrubs removed as a resuh of mining or construction should be replaced on none-for-one basis. <br />Recornrr>ended native tree and shrub species for reclamation planting include plains cottonwood, native phun. <br />chokecherry, snowberry, buffaloberry, and w~low. Conifers inchule eastern red cedar or Rocky Mountain <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg Walther, E~cutive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Bernard L. Blade, Jr., Chairman • Ride Enshom, Vioe-Chairman • Philp James, Seuerary <br />Memtrers. Tom Budce • Mark LeVallev • Marianna Raftoooubs • RobeA Shoemaker • Ofive VaHez <br />