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STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Bruce McCloskey, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />Mazch 26, 2007 <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Survey <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Shemtan St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />cam, ~~ ~' <br />~-. /~ <br />Atm: Allen Sorenson, Environmental Protection Specialist <br />SUBJECT: Holcim (US) Inc., Coaldale Quatry, Permit No. M-1977-247 <br />l <br />~ ~ ~7i <br />For Wildldfe- <br />FarPeople <br />~~~~~1lI.~O <br />/Mi~R 2 8 2007 <br />Oivlslon of ttaclamation, <br />j fining and Safety. <br />Dear Allen, <br />The purpose of this letter is to provide requested comments regazding the amendment application to M-1977-247, Coaldale <br />Quarry as requested by Holcim (iJS) Inc. In response [o [Jeir application [o resume mining operations we have the following <br />comments for your consideration. <br />Once completed, we recommend rangeland reclamation to restore the vegetation and soils to their previous composition. <br />Since the quarry was once active, Holcim (US) Inc. may want to contact a rangeland specialist with the USDA before doing <br />any further operations to document range production, existing plant communities, and percentage of plant species, soil types, <br />and other information to properly reclaim the area. If the entire area has been disturbed by mining we recommend <br />documenting similar habitat in an undisturbed area nearby to get an idea of what was there prior to operations. <br />While discussing matters with a rangeland specialist, i[ may benefit wildlife to include higher concentrations of plant species <br />that will enhance wildlife habitat and cover. In particular, the surrounding area is used by deer and turkey throughout the year <br />with the winter most critical. To improve habitat for wildlife, you may wish to include species not found in the original plant <br />survey. For instance, we recommend planting higher concentrations of rabbit bmsh and mountain mahogany seed as a way to <br />increase bmsh species and plant diversity. Legumes are good too as they condition the soil. Cottonwood plantings may also <br />benefit in areas with wetter soil as they provide roosting areas for turkeys and additional cover for different wildlife species. <br />Should Holcim (US) choose to plant species to benefit wildlife, we recommend contacting Conservation Biologist, Raquel <br />Wertsbaugh who can help choose different species, mixes etc. She can be contacted at (719)-530-5520. <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. Should you have any further questions please feel free to contact <br />Kim Woodmff, District Wildlife Manager at (719)-207-0638. <br />Sincerely, <br />.Gyri. /Ow <br />im Aragon (/// <br />Area Wildlife Manager <br />;;, -,~ , <br />Cc: Kimberly Woodruff, DWM <br />Raquel Wertsbaugh, Conservation Biologist <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tom Burke, Chair • Claire O' Neal, Vice Chair • Robert Bray, Secretary <br />Members, Brad Coors • Jeffrey Crawford • Rick Enstrom • Roy McAnally • Richard Ray • Ken Torres <br />Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman and John Stulp <br />