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• <br />,- <br />B `'Keffelew ',`, . <br />June 13, 2006 - <br />hunting perchesraf least:during the winter. The word "roost" can also be used to refer to <br />communal ~oderriight winter roosts, which are trees used.by several bald'eagles . <br />continuously for,overnighYroosting for at leasbtwo or three weeks during the,wmter. . <br />There is no formaP.definiton stating the number of eagles'necessary for a tree.to be - - <br />considered awinter communal•roost or stating the length of time that a tree must be used <br />to,be considered a'winter communal roost. The U;S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) <br />has indicated that they are'concerned about activities that affect communal winterroosts. <br />They generally,do;goftake action,over effects fo hunting or feeding perches (Peisonal <br />communication lietweeirP: Davis, Weiland, Inc. and P.'Plage; USFWS, Lakewood; CO, <br />September I5, 2005). , ~' <br />Asphalt specialties,will work with th'e CDOW and the USFWS to desigp a field survey <br />that.will determine whether cottonwood trees'in the permit amendment area are used as a <br />communal winter roost;`. Asphalt~Specialties will then conduct the survey during the <br />winter of 2006-2007. Ifdhe survey results indicate the trees are a communal winter roost <br />Asphalt Specialties will consult with the CDOW and USFWS to design an appropriate <br />iriitigation,plan: ~;At this tune ,it is~anficipated.mitigation would include seasonal mining <br />near the trees and ari appropriate buffer around the trees during the winter. ~ ' <br />The CDOW mentions Preble'. s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) as a <br />species they would expect to find on4he-site. Trapping. surveys for;this species ' <br />performed in 2000'failed.to find•this'species present. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service concluded in 2004,~that Preble's meadow jumping mouse is unlikely to <br />occur on the site: This conclusion was based,bn the 2000 trapping,`survey as well as other <br />surveys performed on-Boulder Creek near the project area. <br />CDOW.also expressed conceni about potential use of the project area by~ burrowing owls <br />(Athene~cunicularia), :No surveys have been performed for this species.:Asphalt <br />Specialties-will have.a burrowing owl survey performed at the start of each nesting <br />season in the areas that, will be mined during that nesting season. , <br />., <br />CDOW requested ,that prairie dogs on,the site be either relocated orhumanely killed prior <br />to-mining.' Asphalt Specialties has no plans toselocate prairie dogs.or to euthanize them <br />poor to mining. ' ' ~ ~ ~ ~ „ , <br />CDOW made several suggestions with regard to grading and landscaping in andaround <br />the reservoir and,pond to be left afler mining._ The northern reservoir on the site will be <br />used for.water'storage..Water levels'in this reservoir may exhibit a Beat deal of <br />dariability throughout the year as water is drawn down and replaced. Asphalt Specialties <br />believes that grading-and landscaping this reservoir to accommodate wildlife and fish is <br />notpractical. The; sodthein pond will have an irregular shape. The use'of the wafer in <br />this pond has •not yet been determined. If the final use is.not for wafer "storage, Asphalt <br />;Specialties will be willing to discusshabitat improvement measure's with the CDOW <br />prior to pond construction.. ', ~ ~ , <br />GROW suggest§?reyegetating with native plants and' controlling weeds. A'reclamation <br />.plan was ubmitfed to and approved by the DMG (See Exhibit E in,the DMG <br />application).''The,plairincludes theseed mixture for revegetation and:a weed control <br />'' ,]/`, - <br />,p , <br />L~ J+, <br />A.~~ .. ..~.. <br />~v <br />. 1 <br />