2004-06-18_REVISION - M1979195 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF COLORADO Bifl Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE , AN EQUAL OPPOaTUNITY QIPl.0Y92 Bneee McCbskey, Acting D'aectar Brio Broadway Denver, Cdorado 110216 Teleplrara: (303) 297-1192 March 27, 2004 RECEIVED MAR 3 0 ~4 G~~~O ~?~~ For <~IdGfi- ForProp/e Anthony J. Waldron v lion of Minerals & Geology Division of Minerals and Geology DepaRment of Natural Resources 1313 Shaman St. Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Suburban Sand & Gravel, Road Runner Res; Permit No. M-1979-195 ~ ~Nn ~ Dear Mr. Waldron; Thank you for the opportunity to commveret on the Reclamation Permit Amendment Application for the above project The following letter coelstitutes the commems of the Division of Wildli(i: regarding the mine site. This amendment will affect only the reclamation plan and will have no effort on the overall acreage or the mining plan. The primazy impact of this amendmem will be the removal of the embankment between the adjacent Hazeltine (M-1977-153) water storage reservoir, changes to seeding, and weed control. As mentioned in the amendment application, there is currently heavy usage of the mining area by wildlife, particularly waterfowl. The value of the area to wildlife can be enhanced if certain measures are employed during reclamation. The 120'" Avenue extension project demands the creation of Derv continuous reservoir from the original two reservoirs that were to be created by mining permits M-1979-195 and M-1977-153. The creation of one continuous storage reservoir will benefit wildlife by making a larger contiguous open area with significant habitat value. However, this area will be most beneficial if the shores and the bottom are rot a uniform depth or slope. Additionally, small islands throughout the reservoir will be highly beneficial, especially if there are one a more islands ofat least l Y x 25' in sine pa 2 surface saes of ~. Shoreline and island stapes should 6e a maximum of4H_ 1 V, with sane areas having slopes rto steeps than SH: I V. Such shallow areas wilt allow fortstablishmera ofa variety oftypes ofaquatic vegetatiae and invertebrate prey for waterfowl. This type of shoreline, coupled with a plartirg of a variety of rmtive wetland plard species will allow fa a variation in wetlartds to be established which will Crave kxg term baeefits to wildlife, public viewing, aDd incaeased aesthaic value. The lake bed should have varied mrucras and structure, srrch u downed trees and shnebs, shordd be placed in the pads to provide habitat and Dover to aquatic wildlife. The charges outlined in the seed mix are appropriate and highly nommmended. Arry trees or shnrlu that must be removed from the site should be left in the pord as fish habitat. The addition ofsubnrerged trees and other vegetation and will greatly increase the value ofthe pond to aquatic organisms. Trees and shrobs that should be oarsidered in the revegefation effort are eastern red Doctor, rocky mountafil jtmipa', Dative Plum, and willow. The spread and control of anxious wends on the site is a concern for wildlife. Weeds are deferred as "a plant that interferes with management objectives for a given area of land at a given paint in time"(Whitson, 1999). The DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, RusaeO George, Eemcrrtlve Oiedor Wa.DLIFE COMMISSIOW, PhBp James, Chat • Jearay Crawford, ViceChat.Brad Pleeps, Sraehmy Members, Bertard Bledr • Tom Brake. Rids Errs6om • Cleve O'Neal • RotlertStroemalrer • Ken Tortes Ex ORicio Members, Russel George end Don Anent