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Riparian Areas aad V1+etlaml Areas <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife recommends that miaing should take place at least 300 feet from the edge of <br />riparian vegetation in wetland areas. This will help minimize impacts to wildlife in these wetlaad areas by <br />maintaining the habitat in these wetland areas and the vegetation will serve as a barrier from noise and outer <br />disturbances. Wetlands have an important ecologic and economic significance, and provide a great benefit to plants <br />and wildlife. Declines in many wildlife species can be attributed to the decline in wetland habitat upon which they <br />depend. In far; 26"/0 of vertebrates in Colorado depend on wetlands for a portion of them life cycle, and a majority <br />ofthese wetland dependeat species are migratory birds. (Colorado Wetlands Initiative 1997-2000) <br />Miniag Rernmmeadatloas <br />This area currently provides valuable habitat to many wildlife species and wildlife usage may decrease with <br />increased disturbance. During mining, impacts to wildlife can be reduced by allowing mature cotronwoods to <br />remain standing. This will maintain habitat as well as ensure bank stabilization and other positlve benefits. <br />Minimizing night mining activities may benefit wildlife by enabling them to maimain use of the area as a <br />movement corridor or hunting grounds. <br />Once mining is complete, all ponds created by reclamation efforts could potentially have significant value to wildlife. <br />To maximize this benefi;the Division of Wildlife recommends that the pond be designed to include imgular <br />shorelines and our or store islands to provide cover, shells', and nesting areas. Islands should be at least 15' x 2S in <br />size per 2 surface aces of water Shoreline and island slopes should be graded to a ratio of 4 horizontal to lvertical <br />distance, with some areas having slopes no steeper than g horizontal to 1 vertical distance. Such shallow auras will <br />allow for establishment of a variety of types of aquatic vegetation and invertebrate prey for waterfowl. <br />Planting a variety of native wetland plant species at appropriate kxetions will provide a diverse wetland habitat that <br />will have kmg term benefits to wildlife, public viewing, and itcreased aesthetic value. The take bed itself ran be <br />enhanced by varying the contours and structure. For example, the addition of downed trees and shrubs can provide <br />habitat and cover to aquatic wildlife. <br />In areas surrounding ponds (or if no pond or wetland is pistoled) the Division of W ildlife encourages revegetation <br />with native riparian or prairie grasses including tall wheat glass, intermediate wheat grass, switch grass. Trees and <br />shrubs that should be considered in the revegetation effort are plains cottonwood, green ash, box eider, native plum, <br />and willow. <br />Barrowing Owh <br />Burrowing Owls, a species listed on the Colorado Threatened Species List, rely on prairie dog burtows as critical <br />nesting habitat. As a migratory species and a raptor, both the USFWS end the CDOW proles Burrowing Owls. <br />The species is considered primarily a summer resident of Colorado aad a casual winter resident on the eastern <br />plains of Coloredo. )n winter, they are found flour Texas and New Mexico down into Argentina The critical <br />nesting period for Burrowing Owls occurs between March 1 and October 31. IArring this brae breeding females <br />occupy burrows, generally in active prairie deg towns, to nest and fledge them young. Females lead to raise one <br />brood per year. Nesting owls will return to the same prairie dog town to nest year after year unless the town is <br />destroyed When confronted with human disturbance nearest sites, Burrowing Owls abandon the nest. Efforts to <br />relocate nesting owls have generally proven to be ineffective. If Burrowing Owls are found on site, it is <br />recommended that a buffer of at least 150 feet around the active burrow not be disturbed if construction takes <br />places between March 1 and October I. <br />Prairie Dogs <br />The presence of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs gives rise to several potential concerns from an ecological view as well <br />as the public and social concerns with prairie dogs and development. This species, more than any other, seems to <br />