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' l RCE <br />i <br />l A <br />• <br />C <br />k G <br /> nv <br />ree <br />rave <br />ronmenta <br />ssessment <br />Mule <br />Page 7 <br />' <br /> eastern edges of the park, directly across the highway from the proposed pit. More than <br /> one letter expressed concern that mining would diminish visitor's enjoyment of the park. <br />' <br /> 1.6.8 Wildlife <br /> [n a letter from the Colorado Division of Wildlife dated December l7, 1998, the wildlife <br /> manager from Woodland Park reports that wildlife is essentially non-existent on the <br />' privately held portion of the gravel pit, but could be expected to use the portion of the <br />mine that has not yet been disturbed. The letter specifically mentions elk, deer, beaz, <br /> mountain lion, coyotes, red fox, bobcat, small mammals, red-tailed hawks, kestrels and <br />' owls. A tour of the undisturbed portion of the site revealed many bark daznaged aspen <br />trees indicating that the area has been used at least occasionally as winter-range for elk <br /> . <br />' 1.6.9 Heritage Resources <br /> PK Enterprises contracted to have a cultural resources survey conducted for the site of the <br />t proposed gravel pit, the results of which were published November 6, 1998 (Powers <br /> 1998) and are presented in Appendix A.1. The primary finding of the survey was that the <br /> Midland Terminal railroad grade that ran along the toe of the pit has some historic <br /> significance and should be preserved to the greatest extent possible. Afield visit on July <br /> 20, 1999, indicated two additional factors that must be considered. First, while there is <br /> somewhat of a bench through the existing gravel pit, it appears to be coincidental with the <br />' railroad grade, and it is not clear exactly where the rail bed was located through the area <br /> where mining has occurred. Second, most of the rail bed is on property owned by <br /> Galloping Goose Enterprises, and therefore not under US Forest Service jurisdiction. <br /> <br /> The railroad bed drew the interest of the Sierra Club, which suggested that PK <br /> Enterprises be required to dedicate an easement for public right-of--way along the grade to <br />' preserve potential future public use of the railroad grade. <br /> There was also concern expressed by a local resident about a tree that was used by native <br /> Americans to mazk a trail through the area. Afield investigation was conducted by the <br /> Forest Service (see report in Appendix B) in order to determine the cultural significance <br /> of the tree. It was concluded that the tree's unique form was caused by natural events and <br />' is not likely to be associated with a cultural event. It is suggested that, as with all <br /> vegetation, the cutting of the tree should be avoided, if at all possible. <br />' 1.6.10 Reclamation <br />' Comments on reclamation were all similar, that it should be completed to the highest <br />possible standards to ensure that the net effect of the project would be to improve the <br /> appearance of the site. Some of the specific suggestions included requiring reclamation <br /> bonds, keeping slopes to a reasonable grade, reclaiming as many trees as possible, and <br />' keeping the area open at any one time as small as possible. <br /> <br />' Hydrosphcre Rcsource Consulunts, 100? Walnut Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302 <br />