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<br />~~A~~ ~~ ~~L~~~~ <br />DEPARTMENT r1F TRANSPCIRTATInN <br />222 Saulh 6`"Street Roam 317 <br />Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 <br />(970)248-7239 <br />January 3, 2007 <br />Routt County Planning Department <br />P.O. Box 773749 Division of Reclamation, <br />Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 Mining and Safety <br />RECEIVED <br />Caryn Fox FE8 2 8 2001 <br />Re: Myrin Pit; Amendment to Special Use Permit (Activity Number: PP2007-006) <br />Dear Ms. Fox: <br />OT <br />~~~ <br />r~o~~ <br />Although Routt County does not have jurisdiction over the Department of Transportation, the <br />Department is willing to acknowledge and comply with Routt County's zoning regulation sections (4) <br />and (9) by submitting an application fcr amendment to the Special Use Permit (SUP). Included in the <br />attached application is the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety permit along with updated site <br />plans, survey, stockpile locations, drainage plan and photographs of the site. <br />CDOT recognizes the importance and sensitivity of the Greater Sage-Grouse habitat in South Routt <br />County and will continue to maintain the gravel pit in accordance with state and federal regulations to <br />help with the conservation of this species. Standard department procedures will continue to be <br />practiced to minimize noise, water and air pollution impacts to the surrounding property and <br />inhabitants. <br />CDOT and DOW representatives had a meeting on January 17, 2007 to identify the prime lek area <br />and the-proximity to the gravel pit and discuss possible mitigation techniques. Ms. Miller with the <br />Division of Wildlife (DOW) did an excellenf job in explaining the sensitivity of the grouse to their <br />environment during the mating season. During the breeding season, a restriction on hours of <br />operation will be implemented to protect nearby lek activity. No activity will start in the pit until 9:00 <br />a.m. and will stop by 6:00 p.m. from the beginning of Nlarch through June to minimize the noise <br />disturbance during the peak lek attendance. CDOT is also looking at removing unnecessary fence <br />and will avoid using fence when possible to avoid collision mortality and reduce perches for raptors. <br />The DOW also has a recommended seeding plan, which is being reviewed by CDOT for use in this <br />area. - <br />If it is found in the future that the Greater Sage Grouse population is endangered by the activities in <br />the Myrin pit, then the Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Division of Wildlife shall <br />further mitigate to reduce the impacts to the Greater Sage-Grouse. <br />Please call if additional information is required. <br />Si%Cerel~; <br />.,~-, ~ <br />son Smith <br />Assistant Materials Engineer <br />XC: File <br />Goodrich <br />Sanchez <br />