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<br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Bruce McCloskey, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />wildlife. slu[e.co.us <br />February 5, 2007 <br />Joe Sessions <br />Glenn E. Sessions & Sons, Inc. <br />PO Box 1076 <br />Walden, Co 80480 <br />Dear Mr. Sessions, <br />For Wildlife- <br />For People <br />On behalf of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, I thank you for the opportunity to provide input into the <br />development of the Sessions gravel pit located in the NW 1/4 NE1/4 Section 9, T9N, R79W of the 6th P.M.. <br />District Wildlife Manager Josh Dilley has reviewed the map you provided and made a visit to the site. He has <br />provided the following comments. The construction of the proposed gravel pit and improvements to the exis+.ing <br />access road will elnninate approximately 20 acres of sagebmsh/grass habitat and displace wildlife from the site for <br />the period of development, however, sufficient habitat exists adjacent to the proposed site to support the wildlife <br />displaced by the grave] pit operation. An access road aheady exists to the gravel pit site from Highway 125, <br />therefore, no additional habitat fragmentation will occur from the creation of a new access road. <br />The area provides habitat to many species of wildlife including, coyotes, badgers, songbirds, and a variety of <br />raptors. This area also serves as significant habitat for four economically important species of wildlife. These are: <br />Greater Sage Grouse (overall range, production range); Pronghorn (overall range, winter concentration area); Mule <br />Deer (winter concentration area), and White-tailed Prairie Dogs (overall range). These species depend on the <br />sagebnish ecosystem during various seasons of the year. <br />Of particular concern is the Greater Sage Grouse. The nearest sage grouse lek is approximately one and a three <br />quarter miles to the southwest of the site. This means that there could be sage grouse nesting on or around the <br />gravel pit site. However, with the surrounding area, we feel that the sage grouse should be able to find alternate <br />nesting sites. <br />If the site is to be fenced, please consider a fence that would allow wildlife to pass through easily, while keeping <br />domestic livestock out of the area of operation. A four wire fence would be sufficient. A fence that would <br />accomplish these tasks would consist. of a smooth tap and bottom wire with wire spacing (from top to bottom) of <br />42 inches, 30 finches, 23 inches, and 16 inches. The two middle wires could be barbed. In addition to these <br />suggestions, we recommerid that the top wire be constructed of a highly visible, coated wire. This allows for better <br />visibility when animals jump the fence, and when birds (particularly greater sage grouse) are in flight. <br />Noxious weeds are a threat to native wildlife habitats. Please consider the control of any noxious weeds that may <br />invade the dishubed site. This would protect the habitat around the gravel pit site as well as reduce the possibility <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair .Claire O' Neal, Secretary <br />Members, Robert Bray • Brad Coors • Rick Enstrom • Richard Ray • James McAnally • Ken Torres <br />Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman and John Stulp <br />