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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Russell George, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: 13031 297-[ 192 West Region Service Center 71 I Independent Ave. Grand Junction, CO 8[505 Mr. Jim Hinderaker Mesa County Planning and Development P.O. Box 20000 Grand Junction, CO 81501-5022 March 29, 2001 Re: Cameo Gravel Pit (112) Conditional Use Permit Dear Mr. Hinderaker, MARL 9 2001 61ESA COWVTY PLANNING GCPAi1Tiv:c For Wild/ije- For People The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has reviewed Mr. Fontanari's request to extend an existing conditional use permit affecting less than 10 acres to a gravel extraction operation of almost 200 acres for a duration of 30 to 50 years. The DOW's interest in this project stems from [he fact that the area serves as winter range for deer, evidenced by the great number of tracks throughout each of the identified mining areas. The identified mining areas also overlap grounds mapped as "winter concentration areas" and "severe winter range" for deer. In other words, in a normal to dry winter, deer naturally tend to concentrate on these areas in higher numbers than surrounding areas. In a winter with heavy snows, deer (and elk) depend on these areas to survive. The sagebrush provides essential nutrients in a digestible and palatable form and snow melts quickly because of exposure, allowing the animals to conserve energy. Because the proponent states that no more than 5 acres will be disturbed at a time, the overall impact to wintering deer should not be significant provided proper reclamation allows continued winter use by deer. Ye[, i[ is unclear if [he 5 acres is per mirting area or 5 acres of the total acreage. In either case, the effects should be minimal. However, the DOW recommends that establishment of some forb and shrub species be included in the reclamation effort. While native species are preferable, sanfoin, small bucnett and cicer milkve[ch are highly palatable and nutritious forbs that have potential to grow on this site. Four-wing saltbush, bitterbrush, shadscale and the species of sage present on-site are shrubs to consider. With regard to grasses, cool season grasses provide for early green-up and transition forage also important for deer. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please feel free to contact Lyle Sidener, the local district wildlife manager for [he Palisade area, at 255-61 l5 if you have further questions. Sincerely, ~~~~~/ Terry M. Mathitson District Wildlife Manager DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Watcher, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Rick EnsVOm, Chair • Robert Shoemaker, Vice-Chair • Marianna Rahopoulos, Secretary Members, Bernard Black • Tom Burke • Philip James • Mark LeValley • Olive Valdez Ex-Oflirio Members, Greg F. W.Vrher and f?nn nmrnr