Laserfiche WebLink
FE8-29 00 03:09 FROM:CDOW 303-498-9742 <br />spec 02 99 05:12p Div~ion of Wildlife <br />5TATE nF COLORADO <br />nil O~eaa fovc[aar <br />ovwttrtnttr+r ow nwruawr, tusoottcrs <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />.W [()UAL a[[aRVrRY WLOYG <br />row M[neea IJit[Qa Larry Rug.t.d, Dirtrict W ildlife Mmager <br />caoar~s-+r 1528 28° Avooue CouR <br />DmY<r. rdardo aoi 16 Creaky, Cobrodo 806] I <br />tdepum.Po3>isr-n+] Phaae:974J52.214J <br />rAx ~ao1t r9+-ono <br /> November S, 1999 <br />Mr. Kim Ogle, Planet <br />Weld County Department of Planning Services <br />1545 North l7m Avenue <br />Greeley, Colorado gOtS)1 Ae: USR•897, Carnal Colorado <br />REFFR TQ <br />cP~~~ <br />®. <br />a~ <br />fur Wd~01fr <br />For P~op/e <br />Dear Kith <br />I received the picket concerning the above referenced application. l'he mfortrtadoa is the pecker has <br />been reviewed and Division Biologists, Including myself have visited the site. Over the years [Lave <br />reviewed several proposab for this parcel and, on behalf of the DM1ision of Wildlife, have raeponded by <br />letter at lean five times. These letters should be in your files. The Division's concerns retrain the <br />same today as those expressed in career correspondence. <br />Most of the silo is situated in tLe Qood plain of the Cache Le Poudre River. The River cbaonel, <br />wctlaads, wortmwster sloughs, and dense vegctatioa associated with low elevation, cottoowood- <br />willovv riparian habitat, provide [he most important wildlife habitat in Colorado. Alteration of this <br />habitat due to development and increasing human ictiviry can have t very negative impact on wildlife <br />populations dependent on riparian areas. 'I'herafore, from a Natural Resources end Community <br />Development standpoint, a is essential that we plan for sad develop these sites hl a way that will <br />°+~ire the permanent loco of key wildlife habitat. The DiJtsion has appreciated the efforts of yore <br />agency and the Weld County Commissioners to protect ripariso areas through the Weld County <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br />There are also upland arras oo this perceL These sites, primarily along U Street, ere cotrlposed of <br />irrigered agricultural fields put to yearly tillage and subirrigated pasture. C3ecause iRigated Ag. fields <br />are plowed regularly, they have little value for wildlife. Geese, ducks, deer sad other herbivores glean <br />the crop residue, and standing crops may provide escape cover to many species. llowevcr the fields <br />are most important in that [hey provide a safe haven during lLglt wettr ereors, cscapa from summer <br />insect concerns. and s movement corridor ttt titues of the year when wildlife seeds to move away from <br />the Ri.•er. <br />Rased an these considerations, the Division's main concerns mvohing this development arc: tht <br />aarrotving of the riparian corridor associated with the Poudre River, obstruction of movement for free <br />ranging wildlife, loss of warm-water sloughs, loss ofwetlands, loss of subirrigated Denture necessary <br />for presen~ation of an intact riparian ecos}stem, loss of intact wildlife movement eomdors along the <br />River as well as onto upland areas, loss of potential habitat for listed threatened and endangered <br />species, water quality issues that may impact small bsb habitat, and permanent loss of wildlife value <br />because of increased human disturbance. The nroision also feels that the reclamation plan should <br />address potential recreatioaaVwildlife use of thr. sire post mining. In this letter. 1 will touch on each of <br />rhacr icrnec <br />T0~038328106 PgGE:09 <br />I-97 52-2193 p,2 <br />