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~ ~_ SECOR <br />_~ + - <br />Moreover, because the pond's surface is in a depression, birds using the pond <br />would not be able to see approaching danger. These situations of no concealing <br />cover and no visibility are normally avoided by waterfowl. <br />• The pond's surface area is relatively small compared to waters preferred by most <br />species of waterfowl. <br />• A large number of reservoirs having attractive habitat features (shallow water, <br />extensive shorelines, areas of emergent vegetation, abundant aquatic biota that <br />serve as food resources to certain water birds, plus proximity to corn and grain <br />fields) lie just east of the quarry area, spanning from Terry Lake north to Douglas <br />Reservoir and North Poudre Reservoir Number 3. These reservoirs are heavily <br />used by migrating water birds, and provide good-quality alternative locations for <br />nesting and transient birds. Given the availability of these reservoirs, it would be <br />highly unusual for birds to utilize the poor habitat afforded by the pond in the final <br />quarry cut. <br />• The HOLNAM Environmental Manager and Mining Manager indicated that they <br />have never observed bird usage of the pond, nor are they aware of any <br />observations of birds on the water by other HOLNAM employees over the bast <br />30 to 40 years. <br />• Once kiln dust placement into the pit is initiated, the entire cut will be filled within <br />two years. Hence, the active surface area of water will be rapidly reduced, further <br />decreasing the potential for even casual usage of the pond by birds. <br />To validate the above conclusions with respect to limited or no use of the pond by migrating <br />waterfowl, Dr. Martin will visit the quarry pond several times during the 1998 fall migration to <br />determine if any bird activity occurs. A letter report will be prepared on his findings. <br />The site terrain and habitat factors that make [he pit's pond unsuitable for birds also would re:~ult <br />in very limited usage by mammals. In the case of mammals, saponification is not an issue. As <br />the pond becomes filled with kiln dust, the few mammals that might presently use the pond for <br />watering will no longer have this water resource. <br />D <br />m <br />z <br />0 <br />X <br />D <br /> <br />T <br />z <br />z <br />n <br />C <br /> <br />CM1U IF,poul Sbc Ik.cmh~ 14Yd <br />