2006-06-13_REVISION - M2004009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ilk/ ~l W~ilancJ, lnc. Environmental & Engineering Environmental SuPPort far; 7une13,2006 Mr. Berhan Keffelew Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 1313 Sherman St. Denver, CO 80203 Re: Turnpike Mining Resource Dear Mr. Keffelew: • Transportation • land Development • Mining industry This letter is a response to Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) comments dated August 7, 2005. Although the current application before the Division of Minerals and Geology is for additional mining within an already permitted area (by both Weld County and the State of Colorado), the CDOW addressed the entire permit area. The CDOW's comments focused on suggestions to minimize negative impacts and maximizing open areas for use as wildlife habitat. The following paragraphs address each of the CDOW's . comments in the same order that they are presented in the August 7 letter. Also please note that existing wildlife resources on the site are discussed in Exhibit H of Asphalt Specialties' application to the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG). The CDOW recommends preserving existing cottonwood trees and riparian habitat associated with Boulder Creek. No mining will take place within 100 feet of the creek. All trees within 100 feet will be preserved. Trees more than 100 feet from Boulder Creek will be taken down during mining. Boulder Creek through the permit area was channelized some time ago. As a result the banks are steep and the riparian comdor is narrow. Mining will not affect riparian habitat except at the low water crossing for the haul road. Once mining is complete, disturbed areas associated with the low water crossing will be restored to premining conditions in accordance with Asphalt Specialties Co., Inc.'s Section 404 permit from the U.S. Anny Corps of Engineers. The CDOW lists a number of wildlife species likely to be using the site and therefore likely to be affected by mining activities. Our observations are that black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are present throughout the permit area. Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perch in trees on the site and prey on the prairie dogs. However, no raptor nests were observed in the permit area. We agree with the CDOW that other predators such as coyotes (Canis lntrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoons ((Procyon lotor) are also likely to use the site as are mule deer (Odocoileus hemiollt/s). Waterfowl and wading birds were observed using Boulder Creek. The CDOW indicates bald eagles roost in cottonwoods on the site. It is not clear what they mean by the word "roost". As stated above, bald eagles do use trees on the site for 525 3'tl Avenue, Suite 211. Longmont. CO 80501 ph 303-532-0951 fax 303-532-0953