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I . 2.04.11 FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCE INFORMATION Any surface mining project, such as the one proposed by Coors Energy Company, will have some unavoidable effect on any wildlife which occurs in the area. (Since no water impoundments are on the Keenesburg boundary, comments are directed strictly to terrestrial fauna.) 1. General On-Site Impacts The mining activity will remove the resident populations of vegetation and community mammals. Little disturbance of the general topographic features will occur. Perhaps as many as 50 species of mammals. birds, and reptiles will be affected by mining on the site. Many of the ground and burrowing animals will be killed. Larger mammals and birds will be displaced from home temtories as the mine face advances across the site. These impacts are unavoidable, but with reclamation and proper management most of the communities can be replaced, and impact can be minimized. It will be impossible to reconstruct the ecological plant and animal communities that were present prior to mining to the exact or nearly exact state before mining. Communities will be able to re-establish in the azea after reclamation. 2. General Off-Site Impacts Developments off-site, such as housing developments, new roads into the area, increased people living and going through the site, will all affect the wildlife in the area. Most disruption of the wildlife community would be from actual mining operations. Mining causes displacement of animals by human presence, human activity, dust and air quality changes, and noise. Many animals and birds will relocate in neighboring communities if food and habitat are available. This would promote competition for food and territory which would stars other reactions and increase mortalities until a stabilization occurs. Some mammals, birds and reptiles could co-exist during the mining operation and move to different areas of the site as the face advances. As reclamation takes place some animals could move readily back into the area, re- establishing territory and habitat. Most of the conditions described above have already occurred in the area with the renewed interest of oil and gas exploration by major companies. The construction of pipelines, derrick platform grading, and general traffic have caused major disruption in the general area with no major consequence to the wildlife. 3. Expected Impacts on Vertebrate Groups Rodents and some reptiles will either be killed or displaced. Most species, such as kangaroo mice and field mice, abundant and widely distributed, have high reproductive 92