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SFA"fE OF COLORADO
<br />Bil! Owens, Governor
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />' t7iI~~SIG~i11 ~~ lIViL®LIF~
<br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
<br />Bruce McCloskey, Acting Director
<br />soso Broadway
<br />Denver, Cobrado 80216
<br />Telephone: (303) 297-9192
<br />TO: Gary Bumgardner
<br />FRe7M: Mike W. Crosby,
<br />Re; BRIG gravel pit expansion, # M-80-027
<br />//16/04
<br />Location: S. % sec.1 1, T. 1 N., R. 80 W. Notch of highway 4Q East of Red mot Grand C'o.
<br />29ac. Expansion
<br />For tI zldlife-
<br />For People
<br />'the Division of Wildlife has several comments regarding this expansion. There should be a succession of reclamation
<br />as the pit moves across the planned area. Evaluation and control of non-native noxious weeds is mandatory. Some
<br />species to look out for are false chamomile or ma~nveed, Oxeye daisy, the Knapweeds, Toadflax and houndstongue.
<br />The invasion of these species is detrimental to wildlife and stock, as welt as the landscape in general Gravel pits can
<br />end up being a seed source, ifyou're not careful.
<br />Wildlife species that utilize the area currently include but are not limited to; sage grouse, antelope, mule deer, coyote,
<br />l red fox, badger, striped skunk, mourning dove, American kestrel, NuttaPs cottontail, white-tailed jackrabbits,
<br />J Richazdson's ground squirrels and elk utilize the general azea in severe winters. Songbirds include homed larks, rosy
<br />crowned finches, mtn. bluebirds, song and Brewer's sparrows. Amphibians include tiger salamander.
<br />Many of these species benefit from the annual plants common in a gravel pit situation, but require a diversity of
<br />shorter " under 2 feet in height" plant species.
<br />I feel if common sense is used in reclamation as the pit progresses, it should be better for wildlife after the operation.
<br />Plant species I recommend aze Wyo. big sagebrush, winter fat, Sulfur flower, Scariate globe mallow, Blue gramme,
<br />great basin wildrye, western and blue bunch wheatgrass; arrowleaf balsamroot, and Fremont's geranium. I would try
<br />for a mosaic in the plant community. Due to regional concerns regarding sage grouse, don't use insecticides when
<br />possible, since the chicks aze dependent on insects. If a gentle south-facing slope can be maintained, it wilt help
<br />wintering species here in Middle Park. A small pond ar 2 will help both domestic stock and wildlife in this area.
<br />Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
<br />Sincerely, Mike W. Crosby
<br />District Wildlife Manager
<br />c.c. Firth
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<br />
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURGES, Russefl George, Exeaitive Director
<br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, PhTp James, Chair o JefGey Crawfonf, Vice-Chair • Brad Phelps, Secretary.
<br />Memhen: Remanf RL^~rk ., Tnm Rorke. Rick FncSrron a Rhiro (1'Neal s Rnhert Ahromakw~ s Ken Tnrrae
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