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• , iii iiiiiiiiiiiu iii <br />RECEIVED <br />STATE OF COLORADO REFER TO: <br />Hill owcoa.cuernur NOV 2 6 1999 c•~'A~°o <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE Division of Minerab 8 Geology ~~~~ <br />,W EQUAL OPPOnTUNrrY E.NPLOVPR <br />lohn rn„», Dvnaa Larry Rogatad- District Wildl6e Manager 'rOF~ , <br />606o armdway 1528 28ih Avenue Court <br />Dm~c. cotaado 802ts Greeley. Colorado 80631 ForWildlife- <br />Tdeghme(30J)297-1192 Phone: 970-352-2143 For People <br />FAX (303) ]9d-0874 <br />November 5, 1999 <br />Mr. Kim Ogle, Planner <br />Weld County Department of Planning Services <br />1555 North 17's Avenue <br />Greeley, Colorado 80631 Re: USR-897, Camas Colorado <br />Dear Kim: <br />I received the packet concerning the above referenced application. The information in the packet has <br />been reviewed and Division Bio]ogists, including myself, have visited the site. Over the years I have <br />reviewed several proposals for this parcel and, on behalf of the Division of Wildlife, have responded by <br />letter at ]east five times. These letters should be in your files. The Division's concerns remain the <br />same today as those expressed in earlier correspondence. <br />Most of the site is situated in the flood plain of the Cache La Poudre River. The River channel, <br />wetlands, warm-water sloughs, and dense vegetation associated with low elevation, cottonwood- <br />willow riparian habitat, provide the most important wildlife habitat in Colorado. Alteration of this <br />habitat due to development and increasing human activity can have a very negative impact on wildlife <br />populations dependent on riparian areas. Therefore, from a Nattual Resources and Commutvty <br />Development standpoint, it is essential that we plan for and develop these sites in a way that will <br />minimise the permanent loss of key wildlife habitat. The Division has appreciated the efforts of your <br />agency and the Weld County Commissioners to protect riparian areas through the Weld County <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br />There are also upland areas on this parcel. These sites, primarily along O Street, are composed of <br />irrigated agricultural fields put to yearly tillage and subirrigated pas~ure. Because irrigated Ag. fields <br />are plowed regularly, they have little value for wildlife. Geese, ducks, deer and other herbivores glean <br />the crop residue, and standing crops may provide escape cover to many species. However the fields <br />are most important in that they provide a safe haven during high water events, escape from summer <br />insect concerns, and a movement corridor at times of the year when wildlife needs to move away from <br />the River. <br />Based on these considerations, the Division's main concerns involving this development are: the <br />narrowing of the riparian corridor associated with the Poudre River, obstruction of movement for free <br />ranging wildlife, loss of warm-water sloughs, loss of wetlands, loss of subirrigated pasture necessary <br />for preservation of an intact riparian ecosystem, loss of intact wildlife movement corridors along the <br />River as well as onto upland areas, loss ofpotential habitat for listed threatened and endangered <br />species, water quality issues that may impact small fish habitat, and permanent loss of wildlife value <br />because of increased human disturbance. The Division also feels that the reclamation pian shoWd <br />address potential recreationaUwildlife use of the site post mining. In this letter, I will touch on each of <br />ft1PCP ICCIIPC <br />