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IN REPLY N6RiR TO: United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE COLORADO FIELD OFFICE 7J0 SIMMS STREET ~ ~ ' ROOM 292 GOLDEN, COLORADO B040I December 7, 1984 MEMORANDUM To: William Kovacic, Chief, Mine Plan Review Branch, Office of Surface Mining, Denver, Colorado From: Project Leader, Lakewood Suboffice, ES Golden, Colorado Subject: Review of Permit Application for Munger Canyon Mine, Mesa County, Colorado We have reviewed the information you submitted to us on November 9, 1984, concerning a permit revision application for the Munger Canyon Mine and offer the following comments. An aerial raptor survey was performed by FWS for the Salt Creek Mining Company on July 20, 1983, which provided numerous raptor nest site locations. This information was used to recommend areas to be unsuitable for surface occupancy. On September 7, 1983, information was provided to MLRB and the company identifying nest locations and appropriate buffer zones. We have included a copy of this letter for your reference. If Sheridan Enterprises finds it necessary to enter designated buffer zones, we request that they contact our office so that appropriate mitigation measures can be developed. In addition, the company should continue to monitor all nests; especially after mining commences. Monitoring should continue for a period of at least five years to determine what impacts mining may have on resident raptors. This monitoring program should be coordinated with our office and the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). According to the CDOW, the mine area has maintained a relatively stable amount of winter and spring deer use. This permit area is used heavily just as green up starts, which is one of the most critical periods for deer. Therefore, any activity or disturbance which would remove lowland/bottomland habitats may have significant effects on local deer numbers. The CDOW has also stated that the deer herd in this area is in a process of rebuilding and is still significantly below CDOW obiectives.