Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />OF'F'ICE OF SUf11~ACF, M11INING <br />Reclamation and -;nforcement <br />I4KOOKS'fO~VGkS <br />1020 lSTH STkEET <br />U[NVER, COLOKADO 80202 <br />OFFICE OFTHF, REGIONAL DUlECTOR <br />.._..4~ , <br />I' <br />.. ! . r t- <br />RECEIVED <br />JAI 3 0 ?:i~l <br />MINED LAND PECLAMAl10N"•COAL <br />COtO. DEP f. OF NAIURIL 0.E'AU0.CE5 <br />Ms. Carol Pahlke <br />Reclamation Specialist . <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Section <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, Colorado 80202 <br />Dear Carol: <br />J„t! 2 2 19 2 f <br />This responds to Energy Fuels Corporation's letter of September 11, 1980 <br />regarding Permit 79-177, OSM Stipulation No. 4. We have reviewed the calving <br />bed data collected during the 1980 season and believe this information is <br />invaluable. We agree that elk calving did occur in habitat adjacent [o <br />proposed mining areas but we cannot discount the passible effects of increased <br />mine related activities in the area in 1980. In ochec words, the presence of <br />elk calving beds further southwest (than in 1979) may be a result of <br />disturbances in habitat formerly utilized. <br />After consulting members of your staff, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and <br />the U.S. Fish and Wildl:fe Service, we propose the following course of <br />action. Energy Fuels should monitor calving events in 1981 Co determine the <br />locations and numbers of calving beds as well as the habitat affinity for <br />these observations. This study slEOUld be enhanced through the trapping, <br />marking and monitoring program currently underway. Lncat`_c:. of caivilLg oeds <br />should be accomplished using the same methods as those used in 1980 to allow <br />data comparisons. In the meantime, through consultations with the agencies <br />mentioned, a set of ~rl[eria will be developed to determine if the loss of <br />traditional calving habitat has had an adverse impact on herd production. <br />If the 1981 data reveal calving behavior indicating a scarcity of suitable <br />areas or movement out of tYle established grounds, then Energy Fuels must adopt <br />practices to enhance calving through habtta[ management. The location, size, <br />shape and maintenance of these areas will he determined after tlEe need for <br />them is npreed upon. It is !roped that IEahltat management necessary would be <br />accomplished in [lie fall of L481 so t1Lat the 1982 calving data will document <br />the value of these managed areas. This means that [he 1981 data should be <br />submitted by July 15 to allow proper review. <br />