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~~: -~o~ STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Marie B. Konishi, Acting Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 wildli/e. stela. co. us September 17, 2007 David A. Bird Departrnent of Natural Resources Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver CO 80203 [rtATA I --1~ RECEIVED /SEP 2 B 2007 DNision of Reclamation, Mining and SatetY l RE: Northern Colorado Constructors, Inc. Aggregate Div., NCCI Pit #1, Permit No. M-200/1-107 Dear Mr. Bird: ~~~~o. ', uI0'V OF ,~9 For ~I•dr liPfe- ForPeople We have received you request for comment for the Northern Colorado Constructors project and would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal. The goal of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is to provide complete, consistent and timely information to all entities who request comment on matters within our statutory authority and ow mission-which is to protect, preserve, enhance and manage wildlife and their environment for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of Colorado and its visitors. District Wildlife Manager Chris Mettenbrink recently visited the site and assessed the impact of this project to wildlife in the area. He found the area to comprise of disturbed grasslands mixed with mature cottonwoods trees and wetlands on the western boundary of the project. This area provides habitat for numerous species of wildlife especially in the wetland areas. Wildlife observed during the visit includes prairie dogs, various species of grassland birds, and a variety of raptor species. The Division of Wildlife makes the following recommendations to mitigate the impacts to wildlife in the area: 1. Mining should not occur within 300 feet from the edge of the riparian vegetation in the wetland areas. 2. See below for excavation and reclamation recommendations. 3. A survey for Burrowing Owis should be performed on the prairie dogs towns and appropriate action taken. 4. Any remove! of prairie dogs should be done in a humane way. 5. Surveys for raptor nests should be done prior to mining and construction, 6. If construction occurs in a riparian azea, a survey for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse should be performed prior to construction. 7. Any fences constructed should follow the guidelines below. 8. Initial groundbreaking construction should take place after August I S and before April 1 to prevent the destruction ground nesting bird nests. 9. A weed management plan should be developed for during and after mining and construction. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, ExeaAVe Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tom Burke, Chair • Claire O'N~I, Vice Cha'Ir • Robert Bray, Secretary Members, Dennis Buechler • Brad Coors • JeRrey Crawford .Tim Glenn • Roy McAnally • Richard Ray Ex Oifiao Members, Harris Shemran and John Slulp