PERMFILE58155 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

and the presence and estimated population of threatened or endangered species from either federal or state lists. The applicant supplied the Division with a Wildlife Information study conducted by Prymorys Environmental Consulting, LLC. The report states that the cottonwoods on the property could serve as winter roosting sites for bald eagles. The report also states that no known bald eagle nests are located within 6 miles of the site. The report identifies the nest on the site as belonging to a raptor species other than a bald eagle. The applicant indicates in the mining plan that the cottonwoods at and around the site will not be disturbed. The activity at the site does not include dewatering, and therefore should pose little threat to the survival of the cottonwoods at the site. The Division of Wildlife was notified as to the presence of the nest at the site. Division Comment The Division of Wildlife did not respond conduct a site visit to determine the type of nest present at the site. The Division of Minerals and Geology can render an opinion or decision based on submitted materials and internal resources. The Division's opinion in this case is based on observations and the professional report submitted on behalf of the Applicant. The Division accepts the conclusions of the professional report that the nest at the site is not a bald eagle nest. Bald eagles do not occupy the nest during nesting season, but do occupy it for roosting during winter. Therefore activity at the site should not impact the nesting habits of the bald eagle. The cottonwoods will be preserved at the site, therefore maintaining the winter roosting habitat of the bald eagle in the area. 6. Rule 6.5 Geotechnical Stability Exhibit • The Gundersens expressed concern over a comment made in a letter from the Colorado Geological Survey to the La Plata County Planning Department, stating that the slope where the proposed access road is to be located is possibly unstable and the road will require engineering to avoid potential slope stability hazards. Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) Response The question raised by the above comments is related to Rule 6.5 of the Construction Materials Rules and Regulations, which requires the applicant to provide engineering stability analyses for certain slopes' configurations as they will occur during operations, on a site specific basis. The Applicant submitted a Geotechnical Engineering Recommendations report for the access roadway to the proposed Gravel LLC gravel pit, produced by Trautner Geotech, and design specifications for the road from General Civil Engineering. These plans were reviewed by Division staff.