2003-02-12_REVISION - M1999034 (2)

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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNrfY EMPLOYER Russell George, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone; (303) 297-1192 December 29, 2002 Robert N. Flemirs ADCO Consulting 2090E 104`° Avenue, Suite 305 Thornton, CO 80023 Re: Cooley Reservoir and Fulton Wildlife Area Pit Expansion No. 1 - Jeronimous Property Dear Mr. Fleming: `°'Artt°o a ,, qy `~p~, OF ~v For l~ldlife- For People Thank you for your request for an analysis of the impacts of expansion of mining activities at the Jeronimous property on wildlife. I am providing this information to you after a preliminary review of the site and the information that you have provided Due to the fact that I have not seen the project proposal, nor performed an in-depth on-site inspection of the property, this letter is merely a brief overview of the impacts of the project on wildlife and some suggestions to mitigate these impacts. When I receive a request for comment from the county, I will perform a more in-depth analysis at that time. The site is situated along the east side of the Fulton ditch between 100i° and 104'" Ave. The azea has been mined in the past and is now the site of two ponds. These two ponds and the sturounding areas at present provide habitat to migratory birds, waterfowl, and small mammals. As such, it most likely provides hunting grounds to raptors, including ted-tailed hawks. There may also be some aquatic life associated with the ponds. These ponds will continue to have value to wildlife if they are left after the further mining. If certain chazacteristics aze employed, the value to wildlife would increase. I recommend that the pond have irregular shorelines and that one or more islands of at least 15' x 25' in size per 2 surface acres of water be constructed. These islands would provide cover, shelter, and nesting areas to birds and mammals. The islands at the southern end of the larger pond are valuable at present and should remain if possible. Shoreline and island slopes should be 4H:1 V, with some areas having slopes no steeper than 3H:1 V. Such shallow areas will allow for establishment of a variety of types of aquatic vegetation and invertebrate prey for waterfowl This type of shoreline, coupled with a planting of a variety of native wetland plant species will allow for a variation in wetlands to be established which will have long term benefits to wildlife, public viewing, and increased aesthetic value. Any trees or shrubs that must be removed from the site should be left in the pond as fish habitat. The addition of submerged trees and other vegetation and will greatly increase the value of the pond to aquatic organisms. DEPARTMEM OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E Walther, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Bernard L Black, Jr., Chairman • Ridc Enstrom, Uce-Chairman • Philip James, Secretary Members, Tom Burke • Marie LeValley • Marianna Raftopoulos Robert Shoemaker • Olive Valdez Ex-Offido Members, Greg E. Walther and Don Ament