2006-06-12_REVISION - M1978314 (3)

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POTENTIAL OFFSITE MITIGATION STRATEGIES: Here are offsite recommendations to mitigate the impacts of the proposed King Mountain Sand & Grave] Mine on Greater Sage-Grouse. • Develop parfiership(s) with other property owners in South Routt to fund and/or implement habitat enhancemrnUmanipulation projects. • Develop partnerships with adjacent property owners in the Five Pines Mesa and Egeria Pazk azea to continue to irrigate adjacent hay meadows including late summer irrigation • Develop an integrated weed management plan with adjacent property owners to address the spread of noxious weeds on a landscape level to protect native plants necessary for sage-goose survival. •" Provide funds for offsite conservation easements to protect Greater Sage-Crrouse habitats in the area. r-' Conservation easemrnts for property in the Toponas azea that contain quality sagebrush habitat range $900.00 to $1400.00 per acre. • Provide funding to develop and implement habitat enhancement projects, support implementation of the Northern EagleJSouthem Routt Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan, and support ongoing Greater Sage-Grouse studies. OTHER COIVIMENTS: RECLAMATION: The list we received for inclusion in the permanent sccd mixture for final reclamation includes the following plant species: NAME PERCENT % OF MIX .Idaho fescue 15 Westemwheat --- _------ - --15 Beardless wheat 10 Columbia needle 10 Mountain brome 10 Mountain mute 10 Sandb blue 10 Slender wheat 10 Mountain bi sae 5 Common snowb 5 While none of the species identified for inclusion in the pem~atrrnt seed mixture for final reclamation are a cause for significant cancem, we would like to see a permanent seed mixture that urcludes a significant percentage and diversity of fort species as well as grass species. Any efforts to increase forb abundance and diversity will benefit Greater Sage-Crrouse and enhance the reclaimed areas potential to be utilized by sage- grouse for nesting and brood-rearing. We also recommend an increase in the composition of sage brush and a decrease in the percentage of mountain mutely in the seed mix. A list of preferred species can be obtained firm the CROW. CHEMICAL STORAGE: Tht applicant has stated that they do not intend to store or use any designated chemicals or acid-producing materials on site. If at any time the King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mine requires the use and subsequent storage of chemicals for any portion of their operation, including but not limited to the processing plant, asphalt plant, and concrctc plant we recormend that all such chemicals not only be stored in compliance with state and federal regulations but also a sufficient distance from Smith and Egeria Creeks to ensure that water contamination does not oceru.