1984-01-12_PERMIT FILE - M1984008

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MINED LANbILDLIFE STATEMENT/EVALUATION&wised) for limited impact and select regular mine application following information pertaining to wildlife is provided for use by Mined Land Reclamation board in their consideration of a mining permit for: Fountain Sand and Gravel/Sand and Gravel/SEJ of SEJ of Sec 32 64W ane Name/Type and Location of Mine (Legal) a small part of tie NEI of the NEI of sec. 5 and the NW} of the NW3 of Sec. 4, T21S, R64W of th 6th P.M. Wildlife Species list: Cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, red fox,' coyote, raccoon, striped skunk, ind assorted other small mammals; kestrel, merlin, red-tailed hawk, Swainson's hawk, Marsh iawk, ring-necked pheasant, great blue heron, Canada geese, numerous species of ducks, kil deer and other assorted shorebirds (primarily during migration) , magpie, great horned owl, common flicker, red-headed, hairy. and downy woodpeckers, plus numerous other small birds Endangered/critical species impacted: None known. Critical habitats/vegetative communities impacted: The main habitat impacted will be the Arkansas Riverbottom, which is veg tated primarily with tamarisk, both mature and new growth cottonwood, Russian olive with an uiderstory of a •variety of grasses and herbaceous plants. Much of the understory is dew id of vegetation due to periodic flooding when the river is flowing at top capacity when he Pueblo Reservoir dam gates are fully opened in the spring and summer. A small creek flowi into the Arkansas Assessment 0 mpac {ea to be mined. The riverbottom habitat in the mined area will be eliminated. The tamer sk would not be missed, and would quickly revegetate following mining, but the loss of tie mature cotton- wood trees would be unfortunate, as this vegetative type is declining. Mere is cottonwood seeding occurring in the area, however, so the trees would probably come back eventually. The river adjacent to the proposed mining area is fairly heavily used in the winter by feedin and resting great blue herons and they might be displaced by the mining but there is adequat (sea additao al attachedp { Mineeclamton recommenon s (include key species/habitats for wbicls restoration is designed). Excavated areas should be sloped 31l as a safety measure for humans using the area (even though most will be trespassing) . The area away from the riverbottoa should be recovered with topsoil and reseeded with a mixture of blue grama, side-oats grandia, galleta and western wheatgrass at a rate in pounds per acre of 0.2/0.6/0.3/1.0 respectfully, and preferably drill planted in the 6 week period before April 1. This would speed vegetation covering of the soil and minimize erosion into the Arkansas. • Irepared By:_ Ronald D. Dobson. District wildlife Mnna0 rDate: iubntrted By:_ Bob Davies, Wildlife Binleaist Date: fr.ia statement is void if not processed within I year. Mis aaalyffils does not constitute approval of' appliration.