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<br />STATE OF COLORADO
<br />BIII Owens, Governor
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
<br />AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
<br />Bruce McCloskey, Director
<br />6060 Broadway
<br />Denver, Colorado 80216
<br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192
<br />TO: Marilyn and Rich Curry
<br />FROM: Mike W. Crosby,
<br />Re; 112 conversion on existing permit #M-98-019 Pit- Grand Gravel
<br />3/21/05
<br />For t~ldlife-
<br />For People
<br />Location: SE 1/4,SE1/4,SE1/4 section 1. NEl/4,NE1/4 section 12, T. 1 N., R. 80 W. North of U.S. Hwy 40, East of
<br />Co. Rd.2. one mile up. Grattd CO
<br />The Division of Wildlife has several comments regarding this expansion. There should be a succession of reclamation
<br />as the pit moves across the planned area. Evaluation and conVOl ofnon-native noxious weeds is mandatory. Some
<br />species to look out for aze false chamomile or mayweed, oxeye daisy, the knapweeds, toadflax and houndstongue. The
<br />invasion of these species is detrimental to wildlife and stock, as well as the landscape in general. Gravel pits can end
<br />up being a seed source, if not carefully monitored.
<br />Wildlife species that utilize the area currently include but are not limited to; sage grouse, antelope, mule deer, coyote,
<br />red fox, badger, striped skunk, mourning dove, American kestrel, bald and golden eagles, Nuttal's cottontail, white-
<br />tailedjackrabbits, and Richazdson's ground squirrels. Elk utilize the general area in severe winters. Songbirds include
<br />homed lazks, rosy crowned fmches, mountain bluebirds, song and Brewer's sparrows, and mourning doves.
<br />Amphibians include tiger salamander.
<br />Many of these species benefit from the annual plants common in a gravel pit situation, but require a diversity of
<br />shorter (0-3 feet`in height) plant species `perenttially..
<br />I feel that if common sense is used in reclamation as the pit progresses it can be efficient. Manicured slopes and
<br />groomed flat areas look better to engineer; than to wildlife. Gravel pits can be better for wildlife after the operation
<br />than before. Plant species I rewmmend are: winter fat, sulfur flower, scarlet globe mallow, blue gramma, Great Basin
<br />wild rye, western and blue bunch wheatgrass, mutton grass, arrow leaf balsamroot, and Fremont's geranium. I would
<br />try for a mosaic in the plant community. I would recommend a shot gun approach to seeding the area. I would not
<br />plant the combination of species collectively at a rate of more than 16 lbs. an acre. Shrubs beneficial to wildlife in the
<br />area aze : bitterbrush, snowberry and Wyoming sagebrush, if so desired. Due to regional concerns regarding sage
<br />goose, don't use insecticides when possible, since the chicks are dependent on insects. A historic sage grouse lek is '/.
<br />mile south of the proposed area, we hope the landowners would work with the Division of Wildlife on timing issues if
<br />and when the lek(strutting area) becomes active again. If gentle south, or south west, facing slopes can be maintained,
<br />it will help wintering species here in Middle Park. A small pond or two will help both domestic stock and wildlife in
<br />this area.
<br />Let me know if I can be of further assistance
<br />Sincerely, Mike W. Crosby G~ry °~ , ~ - --- -- -
<br />District Wi]dlife.Marlager ~/L~~
<br />Michael Whitney Crosby
<br />O.c. Firth District Wildlife Manager
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell ( COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
<br />~ DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION,JeftreyCrawfoM,Chatr•TomBulke,' akadre.raP°O~ BAWEIB52
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<br />Radio Call: 484 Office: (970) 725-6200
<br />P.O. Box 339 State Patrol: (970) 824-6501
<br />Parshall, GO 80468 Home: (970) 725-3627
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