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STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owens, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DiV1SION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Russell George, Director <br />fin60 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />December 29, 2002 <br />Robert N. Fleming <br />ADCG Consulting <br />2090E 104` Avenue, Suite 305 <br />Thornton, CO 80023 <br />Re: Cooley Reservoir and Fulton Wildlife Area Pit <br />Expansion No. 1 - Jeronimous Property <br />Dear Mr. Fleming: <br />L~~_v~0 <br />C ~` <br />5,o`Y OF ~~9y <br />For ilrldlife- <br />For People <br />Thank you for your request for an analysis of the impacts of expansion of mining activities at the Jeronimous <br />property on wildlife. I am providing this information to you after a preliminary review of the site and the <br />information that you have provided. Due to the fact that I have not seen the project proposal, nor performed an <br />in-depth on-site inspection of the property, this letter is merely a brief overview of the impacts of the project on <br />wildlife and some suggestions to mitigate these impacts. When I receive a request for comment from the county, <br />I will perform a more in-depth analysis at that time. <br />The site is situated along the east side of the Fulton ditch between 100`° and 104'a Ave. The area has been mined in <br />the past and is now the site of two ponds. These two ponds and the surrounding areas at present provide habitat to <br />migratory birds, waterfowl, and small mammals. As such, it most likely provides hunting grounds to raptors, <br />including red-tailed hawks. These may also be some aquatic life associated with the ponds. <br />These ponds will continue to have value to wildlife if they aze left after the further muting. If certain characteristics <br />are employed, the value to wildlife would increase. I recommend that the pond have irregular shorelines and that one <br />or more islands of at least 1S x 2S in size per 2 surface acres of water be cotTStructed. These islands would provide <br />cover, shelter, and nesting azeas to birds and mammals. The islands at the southern end of the larger pond are <br />valuable at present and should remain if possible. <br />Shoreline and island slopes should be 4H:1 V, with some azeas having slopes no steeper than 3H:1 V. Such shallow <br />areas will allow for establishment of a variety of types of aquatic vegetation and invertebrate prey for waterfowl. This <br />type of shoreline, coupled with a planting of a variety of native-wetland plant species will allow for a var,'ation in <br />wetlands to be established which will have long term benefits to wildlife, public viewing, and increased aesthetic <br />value. <br />Any trees or shrubs that must be removed from the site should be left in the pond as fish habitat. -The addition of <br />submerged trees and other vegetation and will greatly increase the value ofthe pond to aquatic organisms. <br />DE?ARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E Watcher, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Bernard L Eladc, Jr., Chairman • Ridc Enshom, Vice-Chairman Philip James, Secretary <br />Members, Tam Burke • Mark LeVdley • Marianna Raftopoulas .Robert Shcemaker • Olive Valdez <br />Ex-0fficio Members, Greg E. Walther and Don Ament <br />