2002-03-13_REVISION - M1979089 (2)

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Mined Land Wildlife Statement ' For Limited Impact Operation Permit (110 * and 110d) or Regular Operations Permit (I ]2 and ] 12d) Instructions to the Anolicant: Submit this Wildlife Statement to OMLR as part of the MLRD application. ' The following information pertaining to wildlife is provided for use by the Mined land Reclamation Boazd in its consideration of a mining permit for: 1. Name and type of mine: 23 Road Sand and Gravel Pit ' 2. Location of mine:T 15.. R.1W.. Sec. 5 W'/z. NW'/. SW'/. Ute Meridian 3. List threatened or endangered species (federal or state) and other species of special concern present: ' Species potentially affected by a mining operation in [his vicinity include Colorado Squawfish, razorback sucker, humpback chub, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon and all are federal and state threatened species. The fish are present yeaz round and bald eagles occupy the Grand Valley through the winter. White-faced ibis, long-billed curlew, great blue heron, black-crowned night heron and roundtai] chub are included in the group of species of special concern. 4. Assess expected impacts to fish and wildlife populations and habitat from project: The above include migrants, some nest and summer here, some winter and some are yeaz round residents. Ibis and the curlew are fond of feeding in flooded river bottoms in the spring and irrigated hay and alfalfa fields. The herons are primarily riverine hunters but the great blue also ranges far afield [o man made and natural ponds. This mining operation can be conducted without apparent ill effects on aquatic or terrestrial wildlife. 1 ' Wildlife Statement (continued) 5. Evaluate reclamation plan and provide additional recommendations for reclamation: The reclamation is appropriate for the site with respect to the landowner's desired use. Problems which could ' develop on a property like this and be of concern to neazby, adjacent wildife habitat include ponds harboring nonnativefish connected to the Colorado River, feral cats, roaming dogs and noxious weeds. Since the final plan does not include any pond connected to the river, there should be no fish impacts. Weed and roaming cat and dog control are not anticipated and can be corrected easily and quickly.