Laserfiche WebLink
04004 Banks and Gesso, LLC <br />Exhibit H -Wildlife Information <br />(This exhibit was prepared for L.G. Everist, Inc. by Wright Water Engineers, Inc.) <br />The majority of the proposed expansion area for the Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine <br />includes farmland for agricultural crops. A minor portion of the proposed expansion area <br />is within the riparian corridor along the South Platte River. <br />Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (WWE) searched the Colorado Natural Heritage Program <br />(CNHP) database for any records of threatened and endangered species in the <br />proposed project expansion area. (See the CNHP response letter later in this section.) <br />This search determined that there are no occurrence records of any threatened and <br />endangered species within the proposed project area. <br />The proposed expansion area in the north and west (approximately 190 acres) has been <br />disturbed and modified from its natural condition, as the existing farm fields have been <br />cultivated for decades. The historic farming/grazing activities have significantly altered <br />wildlife habitat on all land proposed for expansion to the north and west of the existing <br />mining site. A chariot racetrack, oil rigs, and access roads are located throughout the <br />farm fields. The amended mining plan would include mining the majority of these farmed <br />fields short term and reclaiming the area for water storage reservoirs long term. Due to <br />the farming activities and human activity on these parcels, gravel-mining operations <br />would not have any significant wildlife impacts. The Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />(CDOW) concurred with these findings in a field trip conducted with them on March 17, <br />2004. <br />Also for the expansion areas north, northwest, and west of the existing mining site, a <br />Preble's meadowjumping mouse (PMJM) disqualification letter for the farmed fields has <br />been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as Savage and Savage <br />did for the existing mine site in this location in 1999. The requested clearance letter <br />follows later in this section. <br />The proposed expansion area located east of the existing mining operation is <br />approximately 28 acres-5 acres of which are farmed, upland field. The remaining <br />acreage is a riparian habitat along the South Platte River with a cottonwood (Populus <br />deltoides) gallery and herbaceous understory, consisting heavily of noxious weeds. The <br />proposed mining in this area would include approximately one-half of this riparian area <br />short term and reclaiming the mined area as a water storage reservoir in the long term. <br />The other half of the remaining corridor would be protected and enhanced for wildlife. <br />habitat long term. <br />This area would take approximately 5 years to mine. During the 5-year mining period, <br />processing of the sand and gravel would take place away from the riparian corridor. The <br />existing processing plant would remain in its current location or be moved to the north <br />and/or west of its current location, minimizing noise and overall activity in this mining <br />area. After the area is mined, it would be reclaimed for water storage. The creation of a <br />water storage pond would preserve the site in a more natural condition long term, which <br />is beneficial for all wildlife uses. <br />Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine - L.G. Everist, Inc. September 20, 2004 <br />Amendment to Permit No M-1999-120 Page 17 <br />