2004-08-11_REVISION - M2000158 (2)

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STATE OF COLORADO Blll Owena, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Bruce McCbokey, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Cobr~o 60216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 August $, 2004 Carl Mourn Division of Minerals & Geology 1313 Sherman Street Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Re: Platte Sand & Gravel LLC, S & H Mitte, File No. M-2000-158 1~Ai ~l)mYhCV~~r Dear Mr. Mourd: RECEI~d -~ AUG 1 12004 Division of Minerals & Geology For lirldlife- ForPeopJe The following canstihrte the comments of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Mike Sherrnan (Field Habitat Biologist) and Chad Morgan (District Wildlife Manager) have reviewed this Reclamation Permit Amendment Application and made numerous field visits to the proposed mine site between June 5, 2000 and present. • We highly recommend the installation of numerous monitoring wells along the South Platte River within the wetland complex and that pre-mining monitoring occur as well as monitoring during the mining operation and post-mining monitoring. Such monitoring will allow for the long-term health and vigor of this wetland complex The proposed project does have the potential to negatively impact wildlife or wildlife habitat. The proposed project is located within a continuous three mile wetland complex along the South Platte River and is surrounded by agricultural land. This complex includes lush wetland and riparian habitat and is known to be of extremely high value as wildlife habitat. We have concerns that the constructed slurry wall(s) may alter goundwater flow in the area between the proposed post-mining reservoirs and the South Platte River and thus negatively impact the abovementioned vegetation complex. This complex includes many mature cottonwood trees including those used by Bald eagles as a winter roost site. The Colorado Division of Wildlife appr~iates this opportunity to commetrt on this project proposal. If you have any question, please conta~erman at (9(7.0)`116-3335~Tha~n~k~you. Scott Hoover, NE Regional Man ce: Dave Clarkson, Area Wildlife Manager Chad Morgan, District Wildlife Manager Rick Moss, NE Senior Habitat Biologist Mike Sherman, Area Habitat Biologist DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russel George, F~ceculive Diector WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Phl3p James, Char Jeffrey Crawford, Yrce-Chair• Brad Phelps, Secretary Mamlwrc RamaM RIaNr . Tnm Hi nko • Rick Fn¢Imm • l:lairo rl'Naal . RnhM Chnemakx. Knn Tnmx