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W REPLY REF~i TO: • • C C . Q. ~'~ Ec' -;-cam United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE COLORADO FIELD OFFICE J,70 S. GARRISON ST. LAKEWOOD.COLORADO 80Yt9 ~? ~ .~ AUG 1982 RE~~;,~t'~i usor • osn~ MEAtORAtJDUM To From: Subject Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement Attention: Shirley Lindsay Denver, CO Energy Project Leader, USFWS Denver, CO Potential iJildlife Conflicts - Munger Canyon Mine Although we concur with issuance of a mining permit for Sheridan Enterprises' Munger Canyon Mine, we would like to re-express con- cern over potential impacts to wintering deer and raptors which may result from this mine's operation. Munger Canyon and adjoining lands are extremely important winter deer ranges. Displacement of deer during a particularly severe winter and increased collision hazards may have profound effects on local deer numbers. In addition, there is little available information to adequately assess current raptor distributions in the tdunger Canyon vicinity. Therefore, we believe that the following stipulations should be considered as a part of the Munger Canyon Nine permit: Sheridan Enterprises should engage in a three-year deer population and mortality monitoring program concurrent with the initiation of mining activity. Such a study should be devised and performed in cooperation with the Colorado Division of vJildlife. Study results should be reviewed annually and appropriate actions taken to insure protection of local deer herds. Sheridan Enterprises should perform an aerial survey between July 1 and July 15 of 1953 to locate and assess current status of resident raptor populations within a five-mile radius of the permit area. We believe that no more than 10 hours of helicopter time would be needed to accomplish this task. Raptor surveys should be coordi- nated through the Colorado Division of ';lildlife and the U. S. Fish and :Jildlife Service to insure comparability of results. .~ -.