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STATE OF COLORADO • <br />Poy Romer, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />Arv EQUAL OPPO RTU UITV EMPLOYER <br />• Perry D. Olaon, Dlreetor <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone; (303297-1192 <br />May 27, 1993 <br />Lurline Underbrink Curran <br />Director of Planning <br />Grand County Dept. of Planning & Zoning <br />Court House <br />Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451 <br />Dear Lurline: <br />\J <br />`„f1UN Z 1 1393 ' U <br />REFER 70. <br />o~~o~ <br />C.pW RA~O <br />.V oF.tN <br />I have examined the Kremmling Airport Gravel Pit land in question and have <br />reviewed our files to determine if there are any significant impacts on <br />wildlife. Since Louisiana Pacific most recently used the land for their <br />operations, and since gravel operations preceded such use, wildlife use of the <br />land over the immediate past years has been minimal. <br />At one time, the land likely provided some winter range for deer, as is <br />evidenced by the fact that a small number of deer frequented the area even <br />• during LP operations. The gravel pit lands no doubt were similar in nature to <br />those immediately east of the area. Such lands to the east provide limited <br />winter range for deer, being characterized by an irlierspersion of grass, fortis <br />and sagebrush. Although lands directly northeast of the site provide importan <br />winter range to pronghorn antelope, it is doubtful that they would utilize thi <br />particular area. <br />Birds associated with the sagebrush steppe (viz. sage thrashers, mountain <br />bluebirds, vesper sparrows) were likely affected by the conversion of this <br />habitat to industrial/gravel mining operations at one time. However, the <br />impact would not have been significant. Small mammals {ground squirrels, <br />badgers, foxes) were also possibly affected. Again, none were/are threatened <br />or species of special concern. <br />t <br />s <br />Irrigated and subirrigated meadows grade into riparian areas of the Colorado <br />River below the Gravel Pit site to the south. These areas are sensitive areas <br />for wildlife. However, the Gravel Pit site appears distant enough that <br />operations can be controlled to prevent erosion, siltation, and degradation of <br />these bottomlands. <br />Based upon these observations, the Division of Wildlife does not anticipate any <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. Hamlet J. Barry. Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, George VanDeneerg, Chairman . Roben L. Fr eldenberg er. Vice Chairman . William R. Hegberg, Secretary <br />Eltlon W. Cooper. Member . Rebecca L. Frank Member . Dennis Luttrell. Member . Gene B. Peterson, Member . Larry M. Wrlght. Member <br />