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EXHIBIT H: Wildlife Information <br />Hocker Construction, LLP Gravel Pit <br />The proposed pit is located on the Shellhammer Ridge, an extensive ridge that overlooks <br />the Los Pinos River (aka Pine River) at an elevation just under '7000'. <br />The following was compiled based on a conversation with Cary Carron of the Colorado <br />Division of Wfldlife, who is the Wildlife Conservation officer for the Tiffany Quadrangle <br />in which the proposed Hocker Construction Gravel Pit is located. <br />Significant Wildlife Resources <br />Due to its lower elevation and proximity to the Pine River, this azea is winter range for a <br />lazge elk herd and numerous mule deer. <br />Seasonal use of Area <br />Critical Winter Range for elk and deer. <br />Presence /Population of Threatened & Endangered Species <br />None known at this time. Eagles aze known to inhabit this area, however none are known <br />to roost in this azea at this time. <br />General Effect During and After the Proposed Operation <br />Food Loss -The azea to be mined is higher than the surrounding topography and is rather <br />dry. There is not a dense population ofgrasses -mostly sagebrush and some pinion pine <br />in isolated azeas. Post use reclamation to rangeland will provide more graze than <br />currently exists on site. <br />Cary Carron writes: "The sagebrush habitat has proven to be a very important food <br />source for wintering Mule Deer Herds. When we do our winter game counts we actually <br />concentrate on these sage flats to classify the highest numbers of Mule Deer. This <br />operation will have a negative impact on these herds by displacing them from these azeas <br />and destroying the sagebrush vegetation. I also recommended that any reseeding effort <br />include sage in the seed mix to replace the loss over time." <br />Habitat Loss -Sagebrush and pinion pine. Again, not significant as upper area not <br />heavily vegetated and rather dry. <br />Interference with migratory routes -Area is a destination. Once reached, the herd <br />disperses throughout the azea, thus not a migratory route. <br />Noise /human activity -Noise has a significant impact on Eagles. Though this area is <br />typical habitat for eagles, none are known to roost in the immediate azea at this time. <br />