2004-12-03_REVISION - M1999120 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE `~ AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Bruce McCloskey, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 7elephone:(303)297-1192 J -' ~- - ~`~ ~ ~ 2r;,~~ November 28, 2004 Kate Pickford Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Minerals and Geology ,~,.: 1313 Sherman St., Rm. 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: L.G. Everist, Inc. - Ft. Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine, Permit # M-1999-120, Revision # AM-1 / Dear Ms. Pickford: For [~ldlife- ForPeople District Wildlife Managers Shazlene Haeger and Mike Babler attended an initial site visit on March,l7, 2004 to view the proposed expansion of the existing mine site. It is our understanding that the proposed project involves the removal and stockpiling of topsoil material, extraction of sand and gravel, and creation of long-term water storage reservoirs. At that time, Haeger and Babler expressed a concern about the project's impacts to the South Platte River riparian corridor in the azea identified as'Golden Pif on the map. Their recommendation at that time was a minimum 200'-300' setback from the treeline of the rivet bottom in order to protect the diversity of wildlife that uses the area. In addition to the species Listed in Exhibit H in the application, NDIS (Natural Diversity Information Source) maps, accessible through the Division of Wildlife's website, identify the area as a Bald Eagle winter concentration azea and Bald Eagle winter forage azea. The site is located within six miles of two active Bald Eagle night roosts, In addition, there is an active prairie dog colony in the expansion site which serves as an important food source for the wintering Bald Eagles. NDIS maps indicate that the area is located in overall range for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse; however US Fish and Wildlife Service has written a clearance letter for that species. The project site also serves as important habitat and travel corridor for Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer, Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, other raptors including owls and accipiters, Wild Turkey, herons, waterfowl, and a variety of small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. During the second site visit on November 22, Sharlene Haeger reviewed the Extraction Plan Map and received verification from Lynn Mayer, Regulatory Manager with L.G. Everist, Inc., that the proposed setback in the 'Golden Pit' area is 200' from the river, not from the treeline. In order to minimize DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Diredor WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Philip James, Chair • Jeffrey Crawford, Vie-Chair • Brad Phelps, Secretary Members, Bernard Blade • Tan Burke .Rids Enstrom • Claire O'Neal • Robert Shoemaker • Ken Tomes Ex Offrcao Members, Russell George and Don AmeM