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United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE `~ Ecological Services 764 Horizon Drive, Building B Grand Junction, Colorado 81506-3946 RJ REPLY REFER TO: ES/CO:COE MS 65412 GJ April 18, 2005 Lt. Colonel Michael J. Conrad U.S. Army Corps of Engineers '~ Sacramento District 1325 J Street '- --SacramentCCalifornia 95814-2922 - Dear Colonel Conrad: r m- q~- APR2020~ Division o/ Minerals entl Catllag;. The Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed public notice number 200575121 dated March 18, 2005, in which ZMK Mine Construction, Inc. is proposing to mine gravel from the Uncompahgre River and offers the following comments. These comments have been prepazed under the authority of, and in accordance with, the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (160 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat.. as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) and constitute the report of the Department of the Interior. ~ Flo Gd The Service remains opposed to instream gravel mining based on the fact that the stream ecosystem is continuously disrupted and the stream channel has no chance to develop a natural sinuosity and produce riparian growth that provides some of the most important habitat found in the ecosystem. We also recognize the need for businesses to provide gravel resources to meet the demands of the local community. The Uncompahgre River is a highly disturbed system where historically the stream channel has been channelized or otherwise disturbed almost, on an annual basis. Recently however, there has been quite a bit of interest in restoring the river to a more natural system. The towns of Ouray and Ridgeway have begun restoration activities to eliminate the annual disturbance by developing permanent stabilization that mimics the natural-. __ sinuosity ofthe-river.-In addition,-a n`umbar of private landowners along the Uncompahgre River have begun individual restoration projects to improve the system as well. Along with this work native shrub and tree plantings are occurring to restore the native riparian corridor. Obviously instream or side channel gravel mining does not promote the natural healing of the river system as it continues to disturb the riparian comdor and disrupt natural processes. The Service recognizes the need for businesses to provide gravel resources to the local community however, the Service would prefer that those resources be developed off channel in azeas that do not disturb the natural river system. It is our recommendation that ZMK begin to look for alternative sites, not directly associated with the river channel, to provide these resources..Although we realize it may take ZMK some time to locate and develop a new site; we believe Drily the'gavel resources that aze produced at this site on an annual basis should be ~6te ~ ~ tiP