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(page 2 Frei quarry wildlife comments) <br />During our visit to the quarry the operator appeared very open and honest with us, and told tts that each <br />year production has been increasing, along with demand. In one of the public meetings I attended, it was <br />stated that they did not intend tlus expansion to increase production. It does seem that in order for them <br />to complete their current permit time &aine and that for the proposed expansion, that a large increase in <br />production would be required. If this is so, then it also seems the above mentioned wildlife concerns <br />would also greatly increase. <br />I have made several calls trying to find more out about the current reclamation bonding process and the <br />current and fiuur0 (expansion) bond amounts, but have not been successful in contacting him to oet this <br />such information. With out this information, we also have concems that current bonding requirement <br />monies (now only $75,000 7) may not be adequate to do the job necessary to return the lands to a <br />condition ofhabitat we see ht pre-mining times. <br />This area has been identified as valuable and important wildlife habitat (especially for bighorn sheep, deer <br />and riparian areas), and if the expansion is allowed, 1 Feel sufficient reclamation Funding must be assured <br />to return the quality of habitat that currently exists, not just to `9ega11y" reclaim [o minimum standards. <br />The owners have asked us for suggestions on how to minimize impacts of the operation expansion. Dust, <br />pollutants, and siltation are the major aquatic concerns and can be addressed by their strict and cautions <br />control of the operation of the mine. Another sure method of controlling pollutants and road kills would <br />be via a voluntary or mandatory limit on the number of vehicle/ tntck trips per day. I would like to see <br />this in one form or another, as this should protect riparian areas and limit direct losses wildlife to <br />accidents. This seems a viable option as the owner has stated this expansion is not proposed to increase <br />production levels. <br />Because this operation has such along-term of ogeration and total impacts are hard to quantify and even <br />predict, it seems the prudent path to follow is to make sure the mine doesn't end up a safety risk to <br />people and wildlife, or an environmental disaster or eyesore. It sounds as though this type of operation is <br />the likely source for future sand, rock, and gravel, and whatever we do now to assure e safe, <br />environmentally sound operation will benefit us all in the future: <br />Again thanks for ttie opportunity to comment, and please let the know if there are any questions on the <br />comments or the local wildlife in this area. <br />Sincerely <br />~~ ~'4~' `.'~ `--- <br />Ron O~hlkers (and Eric Otiefl) <br />District Wildlife ttitanager (Habitat Biologist) <br />Cc: district file <br />F (1riFl1 <br />