2004-05-19_REVISION - M1979205 (2)

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c) Threatened or endangered species - Bald eagles are listed as a threatened species on the federal list. They occur in small numbers on the Colorado River in the winter months with an average of two or three birds in the vicinity of the proposed gravel operation. d) Effects of proposed operation on existing wildlife - Nesting geese in the meadow area will be disturbed or displaced by gravel operations. Mammals such as deer, rabbits, and rodents will also be disturbed and displaced. Habitat for migrating shore birds such as the sandhill crane will be lost. The loss of cover will effect most all species listed above and especially so with song birds and raptors. The gravel operation will result in a loss of plant diversity which means a loss in biomass as well as vertical diversity of the different plant species. This will mean that less wildlife species will temporarily use. the area because of disturbances, but long term use can be zeestablished thru proper habitat design and enhancement. Human activity including noise will have an impact on a wide variety oP species and this should be corrected once all gravel operations have ceased. Spring operations should be removed as far as possible Prom nesting waterfowl. No big game migration routes are situated on the site although a small resident deer herd thrives year-round. e) Recommendations - 1) Allow all existing trees including any dead cottonwoods to remain standing. 2) Design gravel pits to have irregular shorelines with mini- coves and shallow shoreline water (less than two feet) and extend the shallows an average of ten feet into the pit. 3) Banks of ponds should have a elope no greater than 3:1 with even flatter slopes preferred. 4) Allow one island/four acres of pit to remain for nesting birds. The surface of each island should be a minimum of four hundred square feet. 5) Work with the NRCS office in Glenwood Springs to revegetate disturbed lands with a variety of plant species. 6) Plan the project for the long term use of the site once the gravel operation is completed; i.e. private campground, wildlife sanctuary, fishing lake, homesites.) 7) Pile branches and removed brush out of the operation area for use by birds and rodents. 8) Design for diverse ground elevations surrounding the gravel pits at the completion of the project. Respectfully, cc: 5. Yamashita J. Toolen Don Crane District Widlife Manager Page H - 3