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Savage and Savage <br />practical solutions jor environmental problems <br />464 West Sumac Court <br />Louisville, Colorado 80027-2227 <br />August 22, 2002 <br />Mr. Rob Laird <br />Asphalt Specialties <br />732] East 88's Ave. <br />Henderson, Colorado 80640 <br />303 666-7372 telephone <br />303 665-6808 facsimile <br />Re: Sweetman Amendment; Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse survey requirements <br />Dear Rob: <br />We have investigated the requirements for undertaking a habitat assessment and trapping <br />survey for the federally listed threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius <br />preblei) (hereinafter, the mouse) for the Sweetman amendment addition to the Speer mining <br />project. The Sweetman amendment area comprises approximately eight acres contained in <br />the NE'/<SE'/a of Section 34 in T15, R67W of the 6"' prime meridian in Adams County, <br />Colorado (see location map). The property is contained within the USGS 7.5-minute <br />quadrangle "Brighton". The latitude of the center of the project site is 39°55'17" north and <br />the longitude is ] 04°52'04" west. <br />The Sweetman amendment property is excluded from the requirements to conduct a habitat <br />assessment and/or trapping survey for presence of the mouse, as well as development or <br />implementation of a mitigation or habitat conservation plan as the project site is located <br />within the boundaries of an existing "block clearance" area approved by the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service (see attached clearance decision and map). By establishing the block <br />clearance area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the mouse is no longer <br />likely to exist within the block clearance area and that there is little likelihood the area <br />contains critical habitat for the mouse. The closest boundaries of the block clearance area to <br />the Sweetman amendment site are 144`h Avenue to the north (1.5 miles north), and Colorado <br />Highway 51 (2.5 miles east), placing the site well within the block clearance area. The block <br />clearance is effective through July 2003, at which time it will be reviewed by the U.S. Fish <br />and Wildlife Service and the area may be expanded or adjusted. <br />If we can provide additional information, please call at your convenience. <br />Sincerely, <br />/7~A <br />Michael S. Savage <br />Vice President <br />enclosure: USFWS Preble's Denver block clearance decision and map <br />