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United States Department of the Interior <br />OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING <br />Reclamation and F,nforcement <br />IIKOOKS TOWEKS <br />1020 I STH STREET <br />DENVEK.COLORADO 80202 <br />OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR <br />.1 / ~ <br />,. ,, ,. J. ~. _l <br />. '~ ~~ <br />RECEIVED <br />JAN 3 0 ~:iul <br />MINED LAND NECLAMA110N'-COAL <br />COLD DEPT. Of NATURAL RESOURCES <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 />JAI! 2 2 19 E1 <br />This responds co 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 to <br />proposed mining areas but we cannot discount the possible effects of Increased <br />mine related activities in the area in 1980. In other 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 Wildllf.e Setvice, we propose the Following course of <br />action. Energy Fuels should monitor calving events in 1981 to determine the <br />locations and numbers of calving beds as well as the habitat affinity for <br />these observations. This study sl~oiild be enhanced through the trapping, <br />marking and monitoring program currently underway. Location of calving beds <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 criteria will be developed to determine if the lose 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 rile established grounds, then Energy Fuels must adopt <br />practices to enhance calving, through habitat management. The location, size, <br />shape and maintenance of these areas will he determined after the need Eor <br />them !a npreed upon. It is hoped that habitat management necessary would be <br />accomplished in tt~e fall of 1981 so that rile 1982 calving data will document <br />the value of these managed areas. This means chat the 1981 data should be <br />submitted by .Tuly 15 to allow proper review. <br />