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~ i <br />8. Wildlife <br />As shown on Map Exhibit B-1, the site is located in the flat field between the wetland to the north <br />and the pinyon-juniper hills to the south. The wetland to the north is home to frogs and geese and <br />various bird species. The irrigated field is used by mule deer for grazing at different limes of the <br />year. <br />The landowner has occasionally seen elk in the field but have seen mule deer much more frequently. <br />The following animals have also been sighted from time to time in the field: skunk, racoon, coyote <br />and a mountain lion track was seen in damp ground in 1997. According to the landowner, no eagles <br />have been using the cottonwood trees which are located immediately north of the wetland. Other <br />birds are commonly present in the wetland. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife, Meeker office has stated that this area of the White River is <br />known to harbor great blue herons and bald eagles. A great heron rookery is known to exist approxi- <br />mately 2 miles to the east along the river. A bald eagle winter roost exists along the river approxi- <br />mately 1-1-1/2 miles to the west. There are no known bald eagle nests in the vicinity of the pit. <br /> <br />The CDOW has classified the undisturbed area around the operation as winter range for elk and <br />mule deer. Since the amount of disturbed area is limited to 10 acres, and since mining and reclama- <br />tion will be terminated within 2.3 years, it cannot be considered a significant wildlife impact. Also, <br />the reclamation plan will create a shallow lake of about 4.2 acres in size with wetlands along the en- <br />tire shoreline. Ultimately, the net effect of the operation will be to improve wildlife habitat. <br />The operator and landowner commit to not introducing any species of fish or other animal into the <br />lake that is undesirable by CDOW and US Fish and Wildlife Service. There will be absolutely no <br />pathways for the lake to connect to the river, however, a flood of somewhat greater than 100 year <br />event size would result in the river inundating the lake. <br /> <br />Piceance Pit 7101 12 <br />