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STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owens, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Bruce McCloskey, Acting Director <br />solo Broadway <br />Denver, Cobrado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />7uly 18, 2004 <br />Larry Oehler <br />Department of Minerals and Geology <br />13 ] 3 Sherman St. Room #215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />RE: Permit No. M-2004-044 <br />Dear Mr. Oehler: <br />RECE~~'Ep <br />JUL 2 7 2004 <br />Alvirian of Minarolr & AeoloAY <br />Far ~ldlife- <br />ForPeopk <br />Thank you for the opportunity to wmment on the reclamation permit application for the above permit. I have <br />reviewed the application and District Wildlife Manager Joe Padia visited the proposed site that is located on several <br />parcels Northeast, Northwest, and Southwest of the intersection between Highway 7(160t° ave.) and Tucson Street. <br />The proposed extraction will encompass approximately 290 acres. <br />Currently, the Southwest area and the east areas are dominated by agriculture adjacent to the South Platte River and <br />the associated riparian habitat. An active gravel pit is located to the north of the east area. The west azea is , ' <br />agriculture as well and there is an active prairie dog town on the west edge. - ., <br />In this case, the irrigated agriculture in proximity to the riparian habitat provides ideal feeding and hunting habitat for <br />species such as deer, wild turkey, foxes, coyotes, raptors, and a variety ofground-dwelling mammals, reptiles and a <br />variety of songbirds. Wild turkeys wore observed feeding in a field on the ast site upon the site visit. <br />Even though a small portion of Colorado's total land area is considered riparian, this habitat type is very important <br />because the greatest variety of wildlife is found in it. The proposed action will fragment existing wildlife habitat, <br />making it harder to wildlife to move through the site. The South Platte River and the associated riparian azea will act <br />as a movement corridor for wildlife through the mining operation. It is for these reasons that we strongly rewmmend <br />that the proposed action does not include the South Platte River or the associated riparian habitat. <br />There is a town ofblack-tailed prairie dogs on the west edge of the west area. Currently, the black-tailed prairie dog <br />is designated a "species of special concern" in Colorado. We recommend that any operations avoid destroying the <br />town. If mining plans include this town, prairie dogs should either be relocated or humanely killed prior to any <br />earthmoving. Since the town is active, burrowing owls become an issue as well. These small owls are listed as <br />threatened in Colorado and live and nest in prairie dog holes. They are susceptible to being buried and killed during <br />construction and mining activities. The Division recommends a ground nesting bird survey prior to any mining <br />activities to determine if burrowing owls aze present. <br />During mining operations, over 200 acres of wildlife habitat will he lost. Once mining is wmplete, reclamation <br />efforts could replace significant wildlife habitat. In particular, the two reservoirs that will be created could provide <br />habitat fo a variety of wildlife. To maximize this potential, the DO W recommends construction of islands that are 15 <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, F_xecuti~e Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Phifrp James, Chair • Jetlrey Crawford, V'~ce-Chatr • Brad Phelps, Secretary <br />Members, Bernard 81adc • Tom Burke • Rids Enstrom • Clatre D'Neal • Robert Shoemaker • Ken Torres <br />Ex Ofido Members, RusseO George and Don Ament <br />