Laserfiche WebLink
<br />1 <br /> <br />i <br />EXHIBIT H <br />MINED LAND WILDLIFE STATEMENT~EVALUATION <br />for limited impact and select regular mine applications <br />The following information pertaining to wildlife is provided forR6~•~yED <br />by Mined Land Reclamation Board in their consideration of a min~p~ 1 <br />permit for: AA s X987 <br />' Wildlife Species List: Wildlife species indicative of a lowland <br />riparian ecosystem would occur on the property. Key wildlife species <br />include mule deer, white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon, skunk, beaver, <br />' muskrat, fox squirrel, prairie dogs, waterfowl, great-horned owl, <br />marsh hawk, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, ferruginous hawk, rough- <br />legged hawk, swainson's hawk, great-blue heron, black-crowned night <br />heron, bullsnake, plains garter snake, common garter snake, tiger <br />salamander, painted turtle, northern leopard frog, bullfron, and <br />woodhouse's toad. <br />' Endangered/Critical Species/Impacted: Possible use of the area by <br />wintering bald eagles due to availability of mature cottonwoods useful <br />as roost sites and close proximity to the South Platte River. Use <br />of the area upstream and downstream has been documented in the past. <br />Critical Habitats/Vegetative Communities Impacted: Majority of the <br />property consists of lowland pasture with a few small artificial <br />impoundments. Critical habitat adjacent to the river on the west end <br />includes a large expanse with numerous mature cottonwoods. The mining <br />plan indicates impact to a significant portion of these mature trees <br />' especially in phases 10, 11, and 13. <br />Assessment of Impact: Significant impacts will occur to critical <br />' habitat associated with property adjacent to the South Platte River <br />if current mining plans are followed. Impacts to mature cottonwoods, <br />which should be considered irreplaceable, ought to be minimized and <br />mining contours redrawn with this in mind. Division personnel would <br />' be willing to work with the applicant to reach agreement beneficial <br />to both parties concerning this matter. <br />Mine Reclamation Recommendations: Reclamation should be designed <br />such that shoreline contours are irregular with peninsulas and bays, <br />and shallow water areas created wherever possible. Restoration should <br />' be designed to benefit similar wildlife species previously listed <br />which utilize these lowland riparian habitats. Attempts should be made <br />to maintain existing cottonwoods and planting of additional woody <br />species at other points along the shoreline. Preservation of mature <br />cottonwoods within the boundaries of mining phases 10, 11, and 13 <br />should be explored with possible post mining use as a park/open space <br />area by either municipal or county agency. Partial compensation of <br />lost gravel revenue could be accomplished through a conservation <br />easement or similar arrangement. Species utilized for revegetation <br />should be characteristic of species native to the area and those that <br />provide maxim benefit t wildlife <br />' Prepared by: Date: <br />Submitted by ~ ( ^' I /~ ~ Date: S ~~~f'-~ <br />