PERMFILE72863

• Permit No: M2000077
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Name: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MULE CREEK GRAVEL PIT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Mule Creek Gravel Pit~ironmental Assessment • Page 32
' the access road, a stream channel has been formed at the outfall of the culvert under the
access road, and the channel has incised itself into what appears to have been a peat bog,
' with willows and other phreatic grasses and shrubs.
3.1.2.3 Vegetation
'
The native vegetation in the Divide area includes both open meadows and coniferous
forest. The forested aeeas aze comprised of pine, spruce and fir with an average height
' around 25 feet, with occasional stands of quaking aspen in the wetter aeeas. The open
areas support healthy stands of grasses typically found in the region, as well as small
shrubs and bushes.

3.1.2.4 Wildlife
In a letter from the Colorado Division of Wildlife dated December 17, 1998, the wildlife
manager from Woodland Park reports that wildlife is essentially non-existent on the
privately held portion of the gravel pit, but could be expected to use the portion of the
' mine that has not yet been disturbed. The letter indicated that elk, deer, beaz, mountain
lion, coyotes, red fox, bobcat, small mammals, red-tailed hawks, kestrels and owls may
use the area. A tour of the undisturbed portion of the site found moderate damage to
' aspen trees suggesting that the area has been used at least occasionally as winter-range
for elk.
'
3.1.2.5 Threatened and Endangered Species
' A Biological Evaluation was completed in 1998 to assess the potential for impacts to
federally listed Threatened or Endangered species resulting from mining activities in the
proposed project. A list of Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate species occurring on
' the proposed project site was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),
Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), and Colorado Natural Heritage Program
(CNHP). The biological evaluation provided an analysis and determination of direct,
' indirect and cumulative effects of the proposed project on federally listed species, species
proposed for listing, sensitive species, or essential habitat. The complete Biological
Evaluation is included with this Environmental Assessment as Appendix C.

Species that are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act and listed as
Endangered aze in immediate threat of becoming extinct. Species listed as Threatened
' are those species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Federally listed
or candidate wildlife species which potentially exist in the azea of the proposed project
' include the following:
American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum). Federal status: Endangered;
Colorado status: Threatened. The peregrine falcon is a species of high cliffs and canyons,
' where it preferably nests and hunts. This species has been proposed for delisting from
the status of endangered species in August 1998 by the Secretary of Interior due to its
successfully recovery. Although peregrine falcons migrate through this region of
' Hydrospherc Resource ConsultanLS. 1002 Walnut Suile 200, Bouldtt, CO 80302