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(page 2 Frei quarry wildlife comments) <br />During our visit to the quarry the operator appeared very open and honest with us, and told us that each <br />year production has been increasing, along with demand. In one of the public meetings I attended, it was <br />stated that they did not intend this e.~cpansion to increase production. It does seem that in order for them <br />to complete their current permit time frame and that for the proposed expansion, that a large increase in <br />production would be required. [f this is so, then it also seems the above mentioned wildlife concerns <br />would also greatly increase. <br />[ have made several calls trying to find more out about the current reclamation bonding process and the <br />current and fitture (exxpansion) bond amounts, but have not been successful in contacting him to get this <br />such information. With out this information, we also have concerns that current bonding requirement <br />nwnies (now only $75,000 7) may not be adequate to do the job necessary to return the lands to a <br />condition of habitat we see itt pre-mining times. <br />This area has been identified as valuable and important wildlife habitat (especially for bighorn sheep, deer <br />and riparian areas), and if the expansion is allowed, t feel suf£tciemu reclamation funding must be assured <br />to return the quality of habitat that currently exists, notjust to "legally" reclaim to minimum standards. <br />The owners have asked us For suggestions on how to minimize impacts of the operation expansion. Dust, <br />pollutants, and siltation are the major aquatic concerns and can be addressed by their strict and cautious <br />control of [he operatiou of the mine. Another sure method of controlling pollutants and road kills would <br />be via a voluntary or mandatory limit on the number ofvehicle/ tntck trips per day. 1 would like to see <br />this in one form or another, as this should protect riparian areas and limit direct losses wildlife to <br />accidents. This seems a viable option as the owner has stated this expansion is not proposed to increase <br />production levels. <br />Because this operation has such along-term of operation and total impacts are hard to quantify and even <br />predict, it seems the pntdent path to follow is to make sure the mine doesn't end up a safety risk to <br />people and wildlife, or an enviromnental disaster or eyesore. It sounds as though this type of operation is <br />the likely source For future sand, rock, and gravel, and whatever we do now to assure a safe, <br />environmentally sound operation will benefit us all in the future. <br />Again thanks for the opportunity to comment, and please let me know if there are any questions on the <br />comments or the local wildlife in this area. <br />Sincerely l~~'"~ <br />~-/ ~' ' _~ <br />Ron Oehlkers (anti Gtic Odell) <br />District Wildlife Manager (Habitat Biologist) <br />Cc: district file <br />F n,t~n <br />