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STATE OF COLORADO <br />RECEIVED <br />Bill Owens, Governor ~EB 17 2006 <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE ~ ~.i,IbianctMineralsandGaalagy <br />AN EQUAL OPPORNNITY EMPLOYER <br />Bruce McCloskey, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: 13031 297-1 192 <br />February 14, 2006 <br />G. Russell Means <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 ~ <br />RE: United Companies of Mesa County, Glen's Pit, File No. M-2005-075 <br />Deaz Mr. Means: <br />For l~ldlife- <br />ForPeople <br />District Wildlife Manager, Brian Gray, has reviewed the Glen's Pit application submitted for this project. He is also <br />familiar with the proposed gravel mining operatt- o e. <br />The riparian area along the Colorado River where this proposed mining will take place is extremely important, as it <br />provides habitat for many wildlife species. This gravel operation will have some negative impacts on the habitat and <br />the wildlife that utilizes it. <br />The wildlife and reclamation plans for this project seem to address many of the wildlife impact concerns. The plan <br />states that the proposed mining operation will not disttub the riparian azea and a buffer azea of 100 feet will be <br />established along the rivet This buffer zone should help alleviate some of the disturbance that will occur as a result <br />of the mining activity. The plan refers to the creation of moderate sloping of the banks of the proposed ponds. <br />Meandering shorelines with some shallow shelf areas could provide waterfowl and shorebirds with some additional <br />feeding areas. Additionally, small islands in the ponds can offer nesting and resting areas for avian species. <br />The permit application also suggests acomprehensive re-vegetation and weed control plan. Many of the wildlife <br />impacts associated with the mined area can be minimized if the re-vegetation of the site is done properly. <br />It should be noted that an active Bald Eagle nest site is located south-west of the proposed mining azea. The eagles <br />have been productive during the past two years and have fledged a total of four eaglets from the nest. The proposed <br />mining site appears to be outside of [he'/. mile buffer zone recommended by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and <br />Division of Wildlife. <br />The gravel pit ponds will occur in the Colorado River basin below 6,500 feet elevation, which the Fish and Wildlife <br />Service has determined likely to support non-native fish populations that can adversely impact native fish populations. <br />The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the Colorado Division of Wildlife can provide information regazding <br />the control ofnon-native fish species. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife would appreciate the opportunity to work with the landowners and applicants in <br />creating a public fishing or hunting easement on the property when mining operations have concluded. This property <br />could provide an opportunity for waterfowl hunting or possible fishing access to the river. Providing hunting and <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Ken Torres, Secretary <br />Members, Robert Bray • Rick Enstrom • Philip James • Claire O'Neal • Richard Ray • Robert Shoemaker <br />Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament <br />