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('OOLEY AND FULTON LAKES PIT (Revised 07/09/99) EXHIBIT H -WILDLIFE INFORMATION A survey to determine the presence of the Zapus hudsonius preblei (Prebles meadow jumping mouse) was conducted on the property in the fall of 1997. This survey and the acceptance of the survey by the United States Department of Interior-Fish and Wildlife Service are attached as pages 3 - 6 of this Exhibit H. There was no indication of this mouse at the time of the survey. If present, this mouse would likely be present in the riparian zone along the River. The proposed mining plan is to preserve this area. Therefore, even if this mouse was found to be present on site at a later date, the proposed plan is not likely to lead to the destruction of any habitat where the mouse either might exist or could become established at a later date. In preparing this Exhibit, representatives of the Colorado Division of Wildlife visited the site in November. On this site visit, no endangered/critical species were observed, nor were any prairie dog colonies found. The Division of Wildlife's Mined Land Wildlife Statement/Evaluation is also attached as pages 7 - 8 of this Exhibit. A copy of a subsequent letter from the Division of Wildlife recommending the planting of willow and cottonwood seedlings in disturbed areas is also included at the end of this Exhibit. A brief summary of the existing wildlife and the affect the mining will have on the wildlife is given below by the parcels identified on Exhibit C-1, Pre-Mining/Existing Conditions Map: A - This parcel has good wildlife habitat, because of the existing stands of cottonwood and willows and riparian areas along the S. Platte River. The preservation of most of the existing tree stands in the riparian areas along the S. Platte River, and the creation of new wetland in areas presently covered with non-irrigated grasses and noxious weeds will certainly enhance the wildlife environment on this Parcel. B - There are some good areas of wildlife habitat, particularly the 1+ acre area of probable jurisdictional wetlands along the Fulton Ditch in the center ofthis parcel and in the riparian areas along the S. Platte River. The riparian areas along the S. Platte River will not be disturbed, and thus the wildlife resource in this area will be preserved. The wetland area along the Fulton Ditch is proposed to be excavated, but replaced with the to be created wetlands on Parcel A subject to approval of a 404 permit for this activity. Thus in the short run, a wetland area will be removed, but replaced with an new wetland area on the adjacent Parcel A. In the long run most of the area proposed for excavation, which presently contains non-irrigated grasses and weedy ground cover, will be replaced with a shallow lake and/or wetlands vegetation. This will eventually result in the creation of a great amount of wetland vegetation area than presently exists on site and thus will be a positive benefit to the wildlife environment.