2002-01-11_REVISION - M1983067 - Laserfiche WebLink

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x • III IIIIIIIIIIIII III • STATE OF COLORADO Bill Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNnY EMPLOYER Russell George, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 RECEIVED Telephone: (303)297-1192 JAN 1 1 2002 January 9, 2002 Division of Minerals and Geology Carl Mount Division of Minerals and Geology 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver. CO 80203 RE: Mobile Premix Concrete, Inc. Stagecoach Pit, Permit M-1983-067 Dear Mr. Mount: For li~i/d/ife- For People I have reviewed the above referenced permit and visited the site this morning. The following are the comments of the Division of Wildlife. It is not immediately cleaz why this is an amendment for an existing application, as there has been no mining activity on the property as of yet. Perhaps ownership has changed and thus the need to modify the original 1983 application? The current application is for approximately 49.5 acres of sand, gravel, and shale to be mined in Adams County, Colorado along the South Platte River. The area is currently a pasture of seeded grasses, with many mature cottonwood trees along the river corridor. The post mining use of the land will be a developed water resource. Many of the mature cottonwood trees on site will be removed during the mining operation. We encourage the annlicants to undertake a survey of the ±rees for existing raptor nests prior to any minine activity. If nests are found to be present, activity should be scheduled so as not to disturb the nesting birds. We encourage the applicant to mitigate for mature trees that are removed (whether or not they are found to have raptor nests present), and would encourage planting of the trees around the future reservoir. Additionally, we encourage a more active restoration plan than simply allowing the wetland species to colonize the area. We would like to see planting of wetland plant and shrub species [hat will successfully take hold and survive in the area. The slopes of [he reservoir are currently planned at a 3:1 ratio. To make the slopes shallower, say 10:1, would provide better wildlife habitat, as the shallow water that would result would create a more diverse habitat. Additionally, creating an undulating shoreline, rather than one with very straight lines, will further enhance the wildlife habitat. Inclusion of an island that would serve as a refuge for nesting and resting waterfowl [hat would no[ be accessible by predators would be beneficial, as well. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Walther, Execufive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Bernard L. Black, Jr., Chairman • Rick Enstrom, VIce~Chairtnan • Philip James, Secretary Members, Tom Burke • Mark LeValley • Marianna Rattopoulos • Robert Shoemaker • Olive Valdez 6c-OFicio Members, Greg E. Walther and Don Ament