2002-04-08_REVISION - M1979205 (2)

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Rpr 08 02 10:OSp Brian Gray [970)625-8009 p.2 STATE OF COLORADO BI8 Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / DIVISION OF WILDLIFE / AN EQVAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Russell George, Duectw so9o ttreadway Denver. Cobrado 816 Telaphans: (30a) 297-1132 GO~~O ~~~~ ~`Y OF `~~ Far Wildlife- For People Apri15, 2002 Russ Menus / Division of Minerals and Geology ~/ 101 S. 3`d Suite #301 Grand Junction, CO 81501 -r,__, aPR o a t Grand . -"• ~rFir_c RE: Chambers Pit Pemrit No. M 1979-205, Reclamation Responsibility Release ~ ®r $tnparr{!~ ~ tFffafagY Dear Russ: I recently had the opportunity to visit this site to deterrmne the impacts to wildlife as a result of the reclamation in the area. I also reviewed the supporting docum®ts, which included the lefty from Richard Johnson to Cazl Mount dated March 8, 2002, as well as the Reclamation Report dated March 2002. The reclaimed lakes at the site appear to support some waterfowl species. The lake at the eastern portion of the site has a much greater density of vegetation on its shoreline and therefore probably supports a greats diversity of wildlife speaes including small mammals, birds of prey and some songbird species. With the exception of several stands of Tamarisk, the eastern lake appears to serve as a functional riparian habitat as it also has a meandering shoreline with some shallow water areas. However the western lake is a poor example of a reclaimed gravel pit pond in that it has very little vegetation surrounding it. The dominant vegetation an the western lakeis Tam~ri•k Kochia, and Russian Thistle. The banks are steep inmost areas, with no meandering shoreline, and very few shallow water areas. The western lake basically only provides some waterfowl species with a resting area. Most of the parcel surrounding the lakes is void of vegetation other than weed species. The rerl~ation area would better serve wildlife if it were vegetated with native plants such as colt woods, willow, and other riparian species. Thank you for the opportunity to comment an this Reclamation Pemtit. If you have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Brian tray District Wildlife Manager ~F.~~/~I~ ~FFICF I'4~~fl.&~ F~I..E ~®~Y P9Dg: M--q79-3a-S '~ 8pla: ~+~tMrt~ S FJt~rsio,/ Doc-. ~ DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. Greg E Welcher, Exeafi~e OirecYor WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Rck Era3ram, Char • Rot>gt Shoemaker. Yce-Cha'v • Madonna Raltapeulos, Sersdary Memfilrs, Bernard Black • Tom Stake • PhUp James • Brad Phelps • Olive Valdez Ex-OtFdo Member, Greg E. Wdehx and Don Amer+t