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.. _._--~ I l54! ~i~arrincl~ui Court Yhonc: (3(13) 346-S19(i Fas (303)-346-6934 Parizer, C6 USA 80138 t<; Mail: Lewicki i(ti%comcast.net April 10, 2007 Bill deVergie Area Wildlife Manager P.O. Box 1181 Meeker, CO 81641 RE: Connell Resources, Inc., White River City Pit, Permit No. M-2006-084 Dear Mr. deVergie, On behalf of our client, Connell Resources, Inc. (Connell Resources), and as requested by Mr. Russell Means of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DBMS), I have prepared the following response to the concerns you expressed in your letter to Mr. Means on March 21, 2007 regarding the potential impacts to wildlife caused by development of the White River City Gravel Pit. In your letter you recommended a seasonal closure to the mining operation during the critical winter/early spring period (January 1 to Mazch 31) to mitigate some of the stress/disturbance to wintering deer/ells. On Mazch 29, 2007, at the Rio Blanco County Planning Commission meeting, Connell Resources committed to a period of no crushing between the dates of December 15 and Mazch 15. Loading of trucks however, may occur year round but will be limited during this period due to lower demand. By ceasing crushing activities, which is the noisiest of the mining activities, during this period, Connell Resources believes impacts to deer and elk will be minimized. You also expressed concern regarding the invasion on non-native weed species, which reduces the density of native vegetation and in tum reduces the habitat value for native wildlife species. As part of the permitting process, both through Rio Blanco County and the DBMS, Connell Resources is required to submit a Weed Control Plan which must be reviewed by the County Weed Control Supervisor and approved by the County Commissioners. Preparation of the Weed Control Plan is currently underway and once approved by the County Commissioners, Connell Resources commits to implementing the approved plan. In addition, Connell Resources commits to implementing a concurrent reclamation plan that will reestablish a diverse vegetative cover over the reclaimed areas to include both dry rangeland and wetland species of vegetation. By implementing a weed control plan and the proposed reclamation plan, impacts to the native wildlife species will be minimized. The third concern you expressed was the increased traffic on the roads in the area which could result in increased road kills of wildlife. The White River City Pit operation will