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~m STATE OF COLORADO ////~~~~ Bill Owens, Governor ~/ J Q w DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES `/% DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Bruce McCloskey, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 April 13, 2006 Thomas Schreiner Division of Minerals and Geology 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RECEI~'E~ APR 2 4 Z0~ I" piyisioo of Minerals and Gealag~ RE: Lafarge West, Inc. North Bank Resources, File No. M-2006-018 Dear Mr. Schreiner: ~~ For llrldlife- ForPeople District Wildlife Manager, Brian Gray, has had the opportunity to review the referral information provided for this proposed surface extraction operation. He is familiaz with the azea and has made a visit to the site to determine impacts to wildlife that will occur as a result of this operation. The riparian area along the Colorado River where this proposed mining will take place is extremely important, as it provides habitat for many wildlife species. Lowland riparian areas are the most diverse of any habitat type in Colorado, and this area provides wildlife with the necessary components for survival. Wildlife species that utilize this area include mammals such as mule deer, coyote, beaver, cottontail rabbit, weasel and many other small mammals. Bird species such as turkey, great blue heron, Canada goose, bald eagle, several other raptor species, and an array of songbirds also thrive in this area. Several amphibian, reptile and aquatic insect species also rely on this river comdor for their survival. The river itself contains fish species including trout, native suckers, and several other important aquatic animals. A lazge heron rookery occurs a few hundred yards to the south of this proposed site. An established bald eagle nest can be found approximately 1.5 miles west of this project area. This gravel extraction operation will have negative impacts on the habitat and the wildlife that utilizes it. The major impacts to wildlife that will occur as a result of this development will be the conversion of habitat into disturbed azeas, and the replacement of upland habitat with deep, steeply banked ponds, which are not normally associated with river riparian systems. The disturbed areas of the property will likely see an increase in non-native vegetation and noxious weed infestations. Throughout the life of the mining operation there will be impacts to wildlife associated with noise and increased human activity. The cumulative effect of several types of impacts in this area will surely change the productivity of the area and will decrease wildlife utilization at the site. Additionally, the pit ponds will likely create habitat for non-native fish species that have been found to have adverse impacts to federally listed native fish. Gravel pit ponds which typically have steep banks, provide very little habitat for wildlife since they do not have shallow water azeas for waterfowl, shorebirds, or other species such as amphibians and aquatic insects. The mine reclamation plan seems to address some of the impacts that will occur at the project site. In reviewing the referral documents, the reclamation plan summary states that the proposed mining operation will not distwb the riparian area, and a buffer area of 100 feet will be established along the river. This buffer zone should help alleviate some of the disturbance that will occur as a result of the mining activity. The reclamation plan refers to the gravel pits that will be back611ed at a 3:1 slope to 10 feet below the water surface to create shallow water areas for aquatic habitat. It also states that a portion of the excess overburden will be used to create small islands and coves to enhance DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Claire O'Neal, Secretary Members, Robert Bray • Rick Enstrom • Philip James • Richard Ray • Robert Shoemaker • Ken Torres Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament