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<br />•,r STATE OF COLORADO
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<br />r\VF RVIrrCI, VV~Cr11Vr
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
<br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUWJY EMPLOYER
<br />Jahn Mumma. Duacter
<br />
<br />RECEIVED
<br />FEB 0 2 1998
<br />Division of Minerals & Geology ~`'~oy OF ~~~~
<br />Fw Wi4Qrje-
<br />Fa People
<br />MINED LAND WILDLIFE STATEMENT
<br />I. Name of Mine: Butala Gravel Pit
<br />2. Location of mine: Northwest of Salida, Chaffee County, Colorado. (Smeltertown, T.50N,
<br />R.BE)
<br />3. List of threatened or endangered species (federal or state) and other species of special
<br />concern present:
<br />Several bald eagles routinely use this area during the winter months, and can be seen flying over
<br />the area, and occasionally roosting in the cottonwood trees which will be disturbed by this
<br />expansion. These same cottonwood trees are used as roost sites by a variety of other raptors,
<br />including osprey in the spring and fall migrations, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, and
<br />Swainson's hawk. Other wildlife present, which will also be impacted, include a herd of 15 - 20
<br />mule deer, coyotes, red fox, cottontail rabbit, Richardson ground squirrel, deer mouse, striped
<br />skunk, bushytailed wood rat, magpie, raven, crow, common nighthawk, hairy woodpecker,
<br />mountain bluebird, and numerous other small birds.
<br />4. Assess impacts expected to fish and wildlife populations and habitat from project:
<br />All of the habitat within the expansion area will be completely altered or destroyed. The wildlife
<br />currently living within fhe area, or using the area will be for the most part, displaced, or in the case
<br />those species unable to move, lost. These impacts will be greatest in the brush and tree-covered
<br />hillside above and to the west of the current stockpile area.
<br />5. Evaluate reclamation plan and provide additional recommendations for reclamation:
<br />There was no reclamation plan included in the packet examined. We recommend that as much as
<br />possible, the mining activity be directed away from the tree and brush-covered hillside, preferably
<br />avoiding this area altogether. This is the area where the expansion is slated to begin, listed as
<br />activity occurring 1998 - 2005 on the map. Stopes resulting from the mining activity should be
<br />graded to 3 to I, recovered with topsoil, and reseeded with native grasses, shrubs and trees, such
<br />as that which currently exists, as per SCS recommendations. Reclamation should proceed in
<br />stages, following the miningg activity to the east, rather than waiting until mining activity concludes,
<br />projected to be 2050 A.D. Aspring-irrigated shetterbelt, or "Living Snowfence should be
<br />constructed along the northern edge of the expansion area, as mitigation for habitat lost.
<br />6. Other comments: Several springs exist in the area being considered for expansion. These
<br />springs, and the associated riparian vegetation (cottonwoodlwillow) should be protected or avoided.
<br />This is the area mentioned in 5. above.
<br />Prepared by: Ron Dobson Date: 1/28!98
<br />Title: District Wildlife Manager
<br />Submi[ted bv: ~a.~t Date:
<br />Title: •
<br />DEP.aRThIENT OF N.~TUFt.aL RESOURCES, James 5. Lochhead. Executive Director
<br />RTLDLffE COhIhUSSJON,Nnold Selezar, Chairmen •Reb<cca L Frmk. , Vice•Chairman • Mark Le'+'alley, Secretary
<br />Louis F. Swig, hlemher • Bernard L. Black, ~S<mber .Chunk Lewis, Member
<br />John Srulp, Member • lames R. Long, Member
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