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EXHIBIT H
<br />Wildlife Information
<br />The site is located along the South Platte River and has a low land riparian ecosystem within the
<br />eastern portion of the site. The main habitat azea would be adjacent to the river and among the
<br />cottonwood trees. The proposed mining area, however, mainly includes non-imgated
<br />pastureland. Since this azea was previously cultivated, there are no intact stands of native
<br />vegetation.
<br />When this site was originally permitted, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) in a Mined
<br />Land Wildlife Statement/Evaluation dated November 9, 1989 (see attached) listed the following
<br />species as being present on the site: deer, coyote, fox, prairie dog, raccoon, opossum, skunk,
<br />rabbits, beaver, muskrat, weasel, pheasant, dove, magpie, raptors, waterfowl, shore birds, and
<br />numerous small rodent and seasonal songbirds.
<br />In order to evaluate potential wildlife habitat impacts from the proposed amendment operation,
<br />updated information was gathered from the Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS) to
<br />identify any new concerns. The NDIS combines plant and animal abundance data from the
<br />Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and other Colorado natural resource agencies to be used
<br />for land-use analyses and decisions.
<br />There are no known threatened/endangered species within the proposed project boundary. The
<br />only exception could be wintering or yeaz-round use by roosting/feeding bald eagles in the
<br />mature stand of cottonwood trees between the river and the site. These stands would be
<br />considered the most critical habitat. Mining operations during the winter are at a low activity
<br />level. This should minimize impact to wintering eagles. However, there aze no known nest sites
<br />within the proposed project boundary.
<br />Wildlife known to be common or abundant in Weld County, and which might occur within or
<br />neaz the proposed project site, include a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
<br />Frogs, toads, salamanders, lizazds, and snakes would all be expected to inhabit areas similaz to
<br />those found within or neaz the proposed site. Common species could include the bullfrog,
<br />greatplains toad, northern leopazd frog, plains spadefoot, tiger salamander, and western chorus
<br />frog.
<br />Many birds may use habitats similaz to those found at the proposed Platte Valley Operation site,
<br />either year-round, seasonally for nesting, or temporarily for roosting during migration. Some of
<br />the common or abundant species could include robins, starlings, grackles, magpies, blackbirds,
<br />cowbirds, orioles, finches, sparrows, swallows, wrens, yellowthroats, larks, kingbirds, and doves.
<br />Because of the South Platte River being within the site boundary, shore birds and waterfowl such
<br />as killdeer, herons, gulls, pelicans, ducks, Canadian geese, and grebes might also be present.
<br />It could be expected that most mammals common or abundant in Weld County would be found
<br />neaz or within the proposed Platte Valley Operation site. Smaller mammals that might be found
<br />at the proposed project site might include bats, mice, voles, gophers, cottontail rabbits, squirrels,
<br />Platte Yalley Operafian
<br />DMG 172 Permit Amerrdmen!
<br />Page 77
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