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• • i~iiiiiiilrii~l<<i~i <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Roy Romer, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EpUAL OPPORTUNnV EMPLOYER <br />Perry D. Olson, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80276 <br />Telephane:13031297-[192 <br />151 E. 16th St. <br />Durango, CG 81361 <br />Tom Gillis <br />Div. of Minerals & Geology <br />1414 Main, RM 223 <br />Durango, Cu 81301 <br />I~ECL~VLKI~ e <br />- - ~~~q~ <br />fEB 171995 NoFV~' <br />For Wildlife- <br />G'!f~l1!)p riCld b'ti~2 For People <br />~~.;~~\!~~ February 15, 1995 <br />~~~ . 1'~~ <br />RE: Zellitti Pit, Permit No. M-80-246, Conversion appi. <br />Dear Tom, <br />I have reviewed the referenced docLlment and make the following <br />comments for the Division of wildlife. <br />The wildlife information contained in Exhibit H was provided in <br />1980 and 1977. While the locaiion of 'the mine has not changed, the <br />impact to wildlife in La Plata county has changed becaLtse of other <br />landuse patterns. The cumulative impacts of increased development, <br />increased motorvehicles, etc., has caused changes in big game <br />distribution as well as available habitat for all species of <br />wildlife from the pinyon mouse to various songbirds. This area oI' <br />the county is mapped by the Division to provide normal winter and <br />severe winter range for deer and elk. This designation implies <br />that the potential impacts to these species increases with <br />cumulative landuse development. Gnce what was consided to be a <br />minor impact, would now be considered a moderate impact. <br />In review of the mining plan and reclamation plan there is no <br />mention of phasing the project with subsequent phasing of <br />reclamation. The use of 3:1 slopes for the final grade is <br />preferrable. The list of plant species recommended by the SCS, now <br />the Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS} would still be <br />preferred since it does use some native grass and shrub species. <br />The control of cattle grazing should be addressed within the <br />reclamation plan for a period of 2-3 years so 'the grasses and <br />shrubs can become established. I would recommend that another shrub <br />such as bitterbrush or mountain mahogany be planted as well. This <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James 5. Lochhead, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Thomas M. Eve, Chairman ~ William R. Hegberg, Member ~ Louis F. Swih, Vice Chairman ~ Mark LeValley, Memher <br />Eldon Cooper, Member ~ Rebecca L. Frank, Member ~ Arnoltl Salazar, Secretary ~ Jesse Langston Boyd, Jr., Member <br />