2007-03-21_REVISION - M1986015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF COLORADO ~~~~~ ~~~ ~'/Y~~~ Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Bruce McCloskey, Director 6060 Broadway- Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303)297-1192 March 14, 2007 ~j ~ Pueblo Service Center"tV ~ 600 Reservoir Road i d- -~"+R e3-.~ ~ r l~ ' ' ~ , _ _ _ , d:on, '~ l/ ,~ti,:~~ dr,~ S~~c;y Pueblo, CO. 81005 Mr. Berhan M. Keffelew Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman St. Room 215 / Denver, CO. 80203 d// Re: Continental Materials Corporation, Pueblo East Pit, Permit No. M-1986-015 Dear Mc Keffelew, Far Wildlife- For Peapde The Division of Wildlife has reviewed the information provided for the Pueblo East Pit, on approximately 438 acres, and has visited the site on March 11, 2007. The application proposes a redesign of Pueblo East Pit Phase 1, and the addition of Phase 2, already permitted land. The proposed site is adjacent to an existing gravel pit and is in close proximity to the Arkansas River Corridor. Wildlife found in this area includes mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, turkey, scaled quail, raptors, neo-tropical bird species, and various small mammals. The majority of which are located in the riparian corridor of the Arkansas River. The Division of Wildlife offers the following comments and suggestions: • The Arkansas River Corridor provides a unique and essential riparian habitat that is utilized by many of the species listed above. • Avery small percentage of this riparian habitat exists in Pueblo County. • Special care should be given to protect this critical riparian habitat from both direct and indirect disturbance. • It is recommended that a buffer zone setback should be established between the area being actively mined and the riparian zone. This should include restrictions on heavy equipment during land shaping/mining activities. • Native vegetation, including cottonwood trees and willows, located on the property should be disturbed as little as possible so as to lessen any negative impacts on wildlife. • Non-native vegetation such as Tamarisk and Russian Olive are detrimental to other wildlife friendly native vegetations, such as cottonwoods and willows. If not monitored, Tamarisk will spread quickly and choke out native vegetation. Control and removal ofthis type ofnon-native vegetation is highly recommended. • Hand cutting with subsequent herbicide application is the most widely used approach for controlling Tamarisk, and is ideal for infestations in areas that also support desirable vegetation. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tom Burke, Chair • Claire O'Neal, Uce Chair • Robert Bray, Secretary Members, Brad Coors • Jeffrey Crawford • Ridc Enstrom • Roy McAnaly • Richard Ray • Ken Torres 6c O~iao Members, Hams Sherman and John Stulp