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• <br />2. WILDLIFH AND HABITAT <br />A letter has been prepared Por us by Tomas B. Kroening, the local <br />Dept. oP Wildlife Officer, in which he lists a number oP species <br />that could be affected by this proposed operation. A copy of <br />this letter is included in the appendix to this application pack- <br />age. It should be noted that certainly not all oP the listed <br />species inhabit the proposed area in its current state. The open <br />water and the shoreline created by the mining operation will <br />provide habitat Por the aquatic species and the marsh grasses <br />and reeds along the banks will supply cover Por the smaller <br />mammals. Ducks and Geese seem to thrive on these ponds. I disa- <br />gree with Tom about the raptors in that we seem to be too close <br />to town and the activity seems to discourage them, RQat least I <br />have never seen either Bald Hagler or Golden fiagles in this area. <br />The windbreaks and stands oP trees and brush surrounding the area <br />will provide cover Por game birds and deer. This site is adjacent <br />to several existing gravel pits, one oP which we are in the <br />process oP reclaiming and closing. In the past forty years we <br />have seen both the number oP species and the population densities <br />increased compared to the salt grass meadows which are native to <br />the river bottom. In June of 1965, when the South Platte flooded <br />this area was under eight to twelve Peet oP water for a time, the <br />ground was scoured and overlain with silt and yet it recovered <br />rapidly and continues to provide cover and habitat. <br />3 <br />