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RPR-19-06 13:29 FROM:DIU.WILDLIFE WEST RG 970-255-6111 T0:+13038328106 PRGE:002
<br />STATE of COLORADO
<br />tllll uwena, taovemor
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
<br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 6NPLOYER
<br />arUab MCCIOSKey, UlfeCiat
<br />6060 Broadway
<br />Denver, Colorado 80276
<br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192
<br />Alxil 13, 2006
<br />Thomas Schreiner
<br />l7ivicirm of Minerals and Geology
<br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
<br />Denver, CO ieo2Ds
<br />RE: Lafarge West, Inc. North Bank Resanrces, File No. M-2D06-Uld
<br />Lear NIr. Schreiner:
<br />G~~~O
<br />~M~y
<br />~~OF
<br />roc tV>Ildrife-
<br />r~r raper
<br />District W ildlife Manger, IIrian Cray, has had the opportunity to troview iJte referral ipformation provided far this
<br />proposed smface exttction operation, He is familiar with the area and has made a visit to the cite 1n determine
<br />impacts to wildlife that will occur as a recnlt of this operation.
<br />The riparian area along the Colorado River where this proposed mining will take place is extremely important, as it
<br />provides habitat for mazry witdlifc sperxea. Lowland riparian arras are the roast div arse of arty habitat type iA
<br />Cglorado, and this azea provides tviltllife with the necessary components for survival. Wildlife species that utilize this
<br />area include mammals such as mule deer, coyote, beaver, cottantad rabbit, weasel and many otfier small mammals,
<br />Bud spares such as lwkey, great blue heron, Cmutda goose, Mild eagle, several ocher raptor species, and m Wruy of
<br />songbirds also thrive fn this area. Several amphibian, reptile and ayuatu; iuvn:t spies also rely on this tiVCr comdor
<br />for t]uir survrval. Tltc river itself coOtains fish species including trout, nnlive suokere, and several other important
<br />aquatic animals. A large, heron rooicory occurs n few hundred yards to the south of this proposed site. An established
<br />bald eagle nest can be found approximately ]..5 miles west of this project area.
<br />This gravel extraction operation will have negative hupacts on the habitat and the wildlife [hat utilizes it The major
<br />impacts to wildlife that will occur as a result of this development will be the conversion of habitat into disturbed
<br />areas, sad the rrplaccmcnt of upland habitat with deep, steeply banked ponds, which are not notrnally associated with
<br />'mar riparian systems. The disturbed areas of the property will Gkchr see an ittcreasc is rton-native vegetaUOn and
<br />noxious weed infestations, Throu~totn the lttc of the tnnrtag operatian there will be impacts to wildliib associated
<br />with noise and increased human activity. The cumula[ive effect of several types oY impacts in Ibis area will swely
<br />change the producriviry of the tuea and will decrease wildlife utiluation nt tlu six. Additionally, rho pit ponds w111
<br />likely create habitat for non-native fish species that bore been fotmd to have adverse impacts to federally listed native
<br />fish. Gravel pit pond., which typically have steep banks, prm ids very Getle habitat for wildlife since they do not hm~e
<br />sitailow water areas £or waterfowl, shorebirds, or other species snrh ac amphihianR and aquatic insects.
<br />The mitre reclamatitm plan setans to adduss some of the impacts that will occur at the proj act site, Jn reviewing the
<br />referral documents, the rcelamalion plan stumnaiy states that the proposed mining operation will not disturb the
<br />riparian area, and a buffer area of 100 foes will be established along the river. This buffer .one should lielp alleviate
<br />so[DC of the disturbance that will occur as a result of flee mining activity. '!'hc rrelamatlon plan refers to the gavel pits
<br />drat well be backf Jled at a 3: i slope to l U feet below the water surface to aettte shallow want areas for aquatic
<br />habitat tt alp states thaz a portion of the access overburden will be used to uYCatc swell islands arxi touts ro enhance
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director
<br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom euke, Vlce Chair • Claire O'Neal, secretary
<br />manners, l+ooert bray • Rick Enstrom • Phlllp ,lamas • Richartl Ray • Rutnat 31 ~utmakbr • Ken Torras
<br />Ex Officio Members, Russea GearOe aril Ann Amam
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