2006-01-17_REVISION - M1999069

• Permit No: M1999069
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 1/17/2006
• Doc Name: Responses to Div. of Wildlife Comments
• From: Applegate Group Inc
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: AM1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Applegate ~
Group, t~~.
January 11, 2006
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Division of Minerals and Geology
Attn: Ms. Erica Crosby
1313 Sherman Street; Room 215
Denver CO, 80203
RE:
RECEIVE®
JAN 17 2006. .
~pivision of Minerals and Geology .
- /
Responses to Division of Wildlife Comments, Amendment AM-01 for
Jake Kauffman & Son, Inc. Wagner/Kauffman Pit #3, M-1999-069 r/
Deaz Ms. Crosby:
The following discussion and attachments aze submitted on behalf of our client, Jake Kauffman
& Son, Inc., in response to the comments prepazed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW)
dated October 31, 2005 for the Wagner/Kauffman Pit #3 Amendment AM-Ol. The amendment
for the Wagner/Kauffman Pit #3' permit proposes adding additional acreage to the. permit azea
and expanding the water resource development azea in the reclamation plan.
It is our understanding that,' in general, the DOW is concerned about potential mining and
reclamation impacts to recreation at the Big Thompson Ponds State Wildlife Area. The wildlife
azea is located approximately a quarter mile east of the western edge of the original
Wagner/Kauffinam Pit #3 permit boundary (prior to 2005 partial release of area in Phase I).
Specifically, the DOW is concerned about lower lake levels and fishing related. disturbances
caused by mining hydrologic affects and disruption to small game hunting due to mining
- _ " activities; especially at night:--". - "'- - -- - -~ -' - - V
The. Wagner/Kauffman Pit #3 was originally permitted in 1999 and mining operations have taken .
place since that time. The proposed acreage addition. is part of the Kauf&nan Pit
permit (M-78-327) and is also currently being mined. It is not proposed to add new; undisturbed
land to the permit azea. During the original permitting process for the Wagner/Kauffrnan Pit #3,
wetland and threatened and endangered species issues for the property were addressed through"
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S: Fish and Wildlife Service.
Since impacts to the wildlife area, including hydrologic impacts, have not been observed from
the current mining operations, it is not likely that operations proposed in-the amendment will
negatively affected the wildlife area.. The amendment does not propose changing the mining
operations currently taking place under the Wagner/Kauffman Pit #3 and Kauffman Pit permits.
1499 West 120th Avenue, Suite 200 ~ [phone] •~Fax [phone]
Denver, Colorado 80234-2759 ~ ~ - v/ww.applegategroup.com