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- - < ,. , - . ~. - - ~ - ~ • Land Devebprr~M <br />MrrBeihan`Keffelew ,, ' ` ~ , ' Alwng <br />Colorado Division oBMmerals and Geology • <br />1313 Sherman St.`s. ~ ,. ' Industry <br />Denver,.CO 80203 - _ <br />Re, Turnpike Mining Resource '.' ~ ' <br />;,~ is `,'~,,, • <br />Dear Mr_Keffelew: ~ ~ ' <br />.. <br />This letter is a response to Colorado Division of Wildlife,(CDOW) comments'dated • <br />August 7, 2005.~_Although the cuiient'application before the Division of Minerals and <br />Geology is. for.additional mining within an already permitted area{by both Weld County <br />and the Stale of Colorado); the CDOW. addressed the entire permit area: The CDOW's <br />comments focused: on suggestions•to`minimizeriegative impacts and maximising open <br />areas for use as wildlife'~habitat.';The. following paragraphs address each of the CDOW's <br />. comments in the same`order that, they~are presented in the August 7aetter: Also please <br />note that existing wildlife,resources on'tlie'site are discussed in Exhibif'H of Asphalt <br />Specialties' applicationfto the Colorado Division oflvlirierals and Geology (DMG). <br />~; : , <br />The.CDOW recoiniriends'p'reserving~existing cottonwood trees and riparian habitat <br />associated with Boulder-Creek: , No mining will take place within ] 00 feet of the creek. <br />All trees within 1.00 feet will be preserved. Trees more than l00 feet from Boulder Creek <br />will be taken dowri'during miriing. Boulder Creek through the permit area was <br />channelized~some time ago. As a result the banks are steep and the riparian corridor is <br />nan•ow: • Mining'will riot affect riparian habitat except at the low water crossing for the <br />haul road. Once mining is'complete, disturbed areas associated with'the low water - <br />crossing will•be restored to premining conditions in accordance with ?.spha]t Specialties <br />Co.; Inc.'s Section 404 permit from the_U.S. Aimy Corps of Engineers: <br />The CDOW lists a;rumbei ofivildlife species.likely to be using the site,and therefore <br />likely to be affected by mining activities. Our observations are that;black-tailed prairie <br />dogs (Cynomys~ludovici'anus) are present throughout the:permit area.- Red-tailed hawks <br />(Buteo jamaicensis);and bald eagles (Fldliaeetus leucocephalus) perch`in,trees on the site <br />arid`prey on the prairie dogs. However, no raptor nests were observed~in the permit area. <br />We agree with,the,CDO,W that other'predators such as coyotes (Canis ldtrans), red foxes <br />(Vulpes vulpes) and raccoons ((Procyon lotor) are also likely,;to use'the. site, as are mule <br />deer (Odocoileus~hemionus):' ,Waterfowl and wading birds were observed using Boulder <br />•, , . <br />Creek. :.i .: . <br />~',;.' ' , <br />The CDOW indicates bald eagles roost in cottoriwoods on the site. ,It is not clear what <br />they mean!by the:word 'roost". As stated above, bald eagles. do use,trees on the site for <br />525 3f° A venue. Suite 211. Longmont, m BO507 , ~ • <br />' ph 303-532-0951 !ax 303-532-0953 <br />,, ~ ' <br />