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.. <br />• <br />Vay9Glan ~hotoyrap~sy~~ <br />Stephen Vaughan <br />13120 Crump Road <br />Colorado Springs, CO 80908 <br />(719)495-2936 <br />James Dillie <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Mr. Dillie, <br />• iii iiiiiuiiiiiiiii . . <br />April 9, 2001 <br />RECEIVED <br />APR 1 0 2001 <br />DIVISIOn of Minerals and GeoloAY <br />As you directed in the Informal Conference on March 29, 2001, I am writing to fully <br />clarify our objections to the proposed Amendment to the Red Canyon Quany, M-85-043. <br />I wish to be included in the objectors who feel that the extension of the quarry will result <br />in a taking of a species protected under the Endangered Species Act. (Item l on yourlist <br />of objections). <br />I wish to clarify that I object to the noise and site impacts of the mine expansion on the <br />grounds that I feel that this will lead to a taking of a species protected under the <br />Endangered Species Act (amending item 5 on your list). This would cover our objecting <br />to night activities such as blasting, and the presence of lights visible to the owls at night. <br />I also wish to object on the basis that we believe that the "taking" of a breeding pair of <br />owls will actually result in the taking of a number of birds, their projected offspring over <br />the life of the breeding pair, possibly over 20 years (Johnson and Reynolds) At a rate of <br />production of between 1.36 and 1.67 fledglings per nesting attempt (Johnson and <br />Reynolds), this could add up to a total of between 20 and 25 other birds. This pair appear <br />to be the most successful known breeding pair in the state of Colorado, so this is a <br />significant number of birds. <br />I wish to object on the grounds that we believe that the reclaimation will be creating <br />habitat for Great Homed Owls, a predator on the Mexican Spotted Owl (US Fish and <br />Wildlife Service letter to CDMG dated March 19, 2001). <br />I object on the grounds that we believe that the proposed construction of fire roads near <br />the owl habitat area will disturb them unnecessarily. <br />I object on the grounds that we believe a thorough monitoring study needs to be done to <br />determine if the anecdotal material suggesting that the owls are steadily moving up and <br />away from the quarrying activity is indeed indeed valid. <br />~J~10 CPUMF Ro~O. aL/.CF LocESr ~~ 9U9~8 <br />)19 495.1936 / veucenvveo*o@vc isr s.c orn <br />