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STATE OF COLORADO
<br />Bill Ritter Jr. , Governor
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
<br />AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
<br />Bruce McCloskey, Director
<br />Southeast Region
<br />4255 Sinton Road
<br />Colorado Springs, CO 80907
<br />719-227-
<br />March 21, 2007
<br />Deb E. Gonima, Environmental Protection Specialist
<br />Division of Mineral and Geology
<br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
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<br />Denver, CO 80203
<br />~r-n-~1 RE: PennitN . M-2007-009- - -- -- - _ - -- --- - - - 'l -- _ -
<br />",J~' Denver Bnc ompany, Kiowa Clay Mine
<br />~~ Deaz Ms. Gonima:
<br />The Division of Wildlife is familiaz with the site and has the following comments to provide regarding the request
<br />for comments on Kiowa Clay Mine, reclamation permit application, located at or near Section 19, Township 9S,
<br />Range 61 W, 6'" Prime Meridian, in Elbert County
<br />The local vegetation community overall is considered rangeland-grass with some rangeland-shrub community
<br />present. The vegetation is made up of native prairie grasses including species such as blue gramma and buffalo
<br />grass. A stand of 1" and 2°d generation ponderosa pine trees occur on the property. The Division has concerns
<br />about the number of mature trees that will be removed during the mining process. Ponderosa pine provide habitat
<br />for many wildlife species, including nesting birds and small mammals. Large trees take decades to grow, so it
<br />would be beneficial if excavation could be done in a fashion that avoids the mature trees. It is important during
<br />reclamation of the site that native vegetation, including trees and shrubs, be replanted to gradually create a
<br />landscape that is similar to its current state. For more specific information on native vegetation, consult the local
<br />NRCS office. Effort should be taken to keep a mined generation of ponderosa pine trees. During reclamation of
<br />the site, any trees that needed to be removed should be replaced. Without adequate reclamation, the site could
<br />experience erosion problems, especially during drought conditions. Reclamation with native drought tolerant
<br />species becomes even more important to reduce erosion.
<br />Wildlife species that occur in similaz habitat to the proposed area include mule deer , pronghorn and swift fox , as
<br />well as a variety of common small mammals and birds. At the time of the site visit, no threatened or endangered
<br />species were observed on the site.
<br />The proposed clay mine is situated between the Station Gulch and East Bijou Creek drainages. During our site
<br />visit, water was noted near the south east comer of the property line. The Division of Wildlife requests that proper
<br />mitigation occurs to prevent silt and erosion from occurring in the Station Gulch and East Bijou Creek drainages,
<br />The Division of Wildlife requests that the overburden top soil be stock piled for later use during the reclamation
<br />process. An effort should be made to treat for any noxious weeds that may invade the disturbed site. Grading of
<br />slopes should be in a 3:1 ratio and should approximate contours and drainage patterns that existed prior to mining.
<br />-continued-
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Exeafire Director
<br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tom Bake, Chair • Claire O'Neal Vioe Chi • Robert Bray, Seaefary
<br />Members, Brad Coors. Jeffrey Crawford .Ride Enstrom .Roy MrAnady • Ridrard Ray. Ken Tortes
<br />Ex Olbdo fukmbers, Harm Sfrermarr and Jotrn Stulp
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