2004-11-09_REVISION - M2000016 ‎(4)‎

• Permit No: M2000016
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 11/9/2004
• Doc Name: Stormwater Management Plan
• From: Lafarge West Inc.
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: AM1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT
FORT LUPTON PROPERTIES, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
mapped the prairie dog towns on the project site (Figure 2). Several large prairie dog
colonies currently exist in the southern portion of the study area. The current status of
prairie dogs as a candidate species does not protect the species under the ESA; however,
future listing of the prairie dog would require consultation with the Service before
disturbing the colony. Many counties and municipalities along the Colorado Front Range
have established regulations and guidelines pertaining to the management and
removal/control of prairie dogs. Curcently, Weld County has no prairie dog regulations.
Several alternatives for prairie dog control are available. Live trapping, poison and
donation to the black-footed ferret recovery program are among the control techniques
used. Landowners may conduct the control method themselves, hire a commercial firm,
or get assistance from the Division of Animal Industry, Colorado Department of
Agriculture, 700 Kipiing, Lakewood, CO 80215; telephone [phone]. Control
materials may be purchased through commercial vendors or from the Colorado
Department of Agriculture.
Burrowing Owl (Atherae cunicularia)
The burcowing owl is a state threatened species. Federal and state laws, including the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, prohibit the killing of burcowing owls. Inadvertent killing of
burrowing owls could occur during prairie dog poisoning, construction, or earth moving
projects. In an effort to avoid accidental killing of owls, the Colorado Division of
Wildlife has drafted suggestions for conducting clearance surveys in areas subject to
poisoning and/or construction projects during the period from March 1 through October
31.
The project area contains over 100 acres of prairie dogs and potential burrowing owl
habitat. No burrowing owls were observed during [he initial site visits in June. However,
weather conditions during the field visit in June were not conducive to burrowing owl
activity. Although no owls were detected on the project site, ERO recommends that any
soil disturbance or removal of prairie dogs be conducted between October 31 and March
1. If prairie dog towns are disturbed during the March 1 to October 31 timeframe,