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STATE OF COLORADO <br />BiII Owens, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNr1Y EMPLOYER <br />Russell George, Director <br />Southeast Region: <br />2126 N Weber Street <br />Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907 <br />RECEIVED <br />NOV 0 5 2002 <br />Telephone: (719)227-6200 <br />October 28, 2002 <br />Mr. Harry H. Posey v <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado. 80203 <br />division of Minerals and Geology <br />For l~ldlife- <br />ForPeople <br />Re: Letter of Clarification for Holcim (US) Inc. Portland Limestone Ouarrv. Permit # M-1977-344.AM 1 <br />Dear Mr. Posey, <br />The Division would like to clazify statements made in reference to our September 25, 2002 letter. The Division is not in <br />formal opposition to the amendments to Permit # M-1977-344, AM-l, however, we can not support the amendment based on <br />the proposed impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat. We would like to suggest alternatives to proposed plan to alleviate <br />wildlife impacts along Beaz Creek. <br />The wildlife resource for this permit has been wed documented with in the original permit application. This includes but is <br />not limited to the following species: black-tailed prairie dogs, badger, swift fox (State Species of Concern), mule deer, <br />raccoon, prairie rattlesnake, bull snake, western meadowlark, lark bunting, red-tailed hawk, and plains native fishes. The <br />Arkansas River and Bear Creek provides a unique resource within Fremont county. The majority of the documented species <br />depend on the riparian/wetlandtorridor, allowing the addition of these lands would not only impact Bear Creek but would <br />have cumulative effects downstream. <br />The Division recommends alternatives to the diversion of Bear Creek for 7,155 feet based on impacts to wildlife and the <br />cumulative impacts downstream. The diversion of Bear Creek will result in the removal of all wetland/riparian habitats, <br />which will severely impact the wildlife resource on and adjacent to the property. Bear Creek provides excellent potential <br />habitat for Arkansas Darter (State Threatened) and Southern Red Belly Dace (State Endangered). The Division suggests <br />- - mining occurs in increments, to allow proper reclamation of affected lands before moving on to the next area. Also, <br />designating stream crossing for mining equipment and areas of impact to minimize the influence of mining to Bear Creek and <br />the Arkansas Rivet The Division suggests that reclamation efforts provide the same form, function, and value that existed <br />previous to mining operations. <br />As with all areas that have been disturbed, the possibility of infestation by noxious weeds is more likely to occur. A plan to <br />control the growth and expansion of these plants may need to be developed. The Division also suggests that a shortgrass <br />prairie seed mix for revegetation uplands and replace wetlands/riparian impacts with "in-kind" mitigation. <br />Please feel free to contact me at (719)227-5227 should you have questions or require additional information. <br />Sincve,,r~e~lr,y.~,~ J"~ /~~ <br />CLase Coole ./Habitat'// <br />Y Y. g <br />Cc: Bruce Goforth, CDOW <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Wak:her, ExecuBve Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Ridc Enstrom, Chair • Robert Shoemaker, ~l~ce-Chair • Marianna Raftopoulos, Secretary <br />Members, Bernard Black • Tom Burke • Jeffrey Crawford • Philip James • Brad Phelps • Olive Valdez <br />Ex-Offiao Members, Greg E. Waldter and Don Ament <br />