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~~ JUL-20-2001 FRI 03;18 PM 3u1 20 O1 11:52a FAX N0, PROMIR RRtiGER DISTRICT 970-527-4151 will not increase the density of motorized roads and/or trails within the watershed since utilized routes will be closed and reclaimed when []te project is completed. Dry Fork Grazing Allotment permittees (via Dallas I~Iarding) were also contacted for the April 4 decision, and expressed ceacems for reclaiming the areas so that oalcbrush is not replaced, and cautioned about closing roads before lulowing what the ultimate mine needs would he. Utilization of the grazing allotment will be continued and coordinated with the drilling operations. Riclt Rudin called voicing opposition to the proposal,.and expressed the aced to see long- tennplans attd that an LA should be prepared. The Delta County Commissioners commented that the project would be necessary to ensure the health and safety of the miners, and that the proposal wotdd not create a significant itnpact to the area in question. The District Wildlife Biologist (DWB) indicated there would be no effects to threatened, endangered or sensitive species (project file). 'fhe Biological Assessment/Biological F,valuations completed for previous lease NEPA reviews in 1995 and 1998 were reviewed and detemvned to still be applicable with no changes (project file). Management indicator species (MIS) analysis for the 1995 and 1998 decisions were reviewed for direct, indirect and ettmnlative effects with this project. Goshawks and Lewis' woodpeckers were found to be "no effect". Elk and deer use the area as summer range. Clea~utg vegetation for drill pads and reclaunurg by recontouriug and seeding will slightly increase potential ells and deer foraging areas. The project area is within ells winter range as mapped by the CDOW. Stipulations approved in previous Decision Notices and Finding of No Significant Impacts associated with these sites restricts drilling activities from December 1 through April 30 rb protect big game winter range and are still in place for this project. The D WB conducted a field visit with the CDU W Wildlife Manager regarding winter range or other wildlife issues. After reviewing dte winter range resource conditions on the ground, the CDOW Wildlife Manager indicated that long tenn yeaz round monitoring access by ATV is not anticipated to negatively impact ell:. Mitigation measures were developed with the CDOW Wildlife Manager to prevent potential impacts for migratory birds and hunter conflicts, See Attachment 8 Conditions of Approval. The District Range Management (DRM) specialist expressal concerns regarding the aced to control noxious weed infestations on disturbed ground and provided a rccommrnded seed mix for reclamation (project file and Attachment B). Earlier NEPA documentation (1995) for the area indicated that the Grand Mesa penstemon was present in the area, and usiuilly colonizes on disturbed ground. The Grand Mesa penstemon has since been removed as a candidate species, and is no longer considered n For~:st Service sensitive species, so it's presence is not a concern. P, 04 p.a The Zone Archaeologist confirmed that previous archaeological surveys had been performed for these locations, and showed negative results (project file).