_PERMIT FILE - M1981302 ‎(21)‎

• Permit No: M1981302
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Name: WILDLIFE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Identification of Impacts
The major impacts to wildlife from gravel mining, processing
and hauling will occur from (1) habitat destruction, (2) noise,
and (3) visual disturbances, principally from vehicles and
dust. Habitat destruction in the floodplain meadows will
reduce populations of certain important prey species
(particularly meadow voles and insects) and, consequently,
would be expected to negatively affect local populations of
raptors and canids. Noise and visual disturbance could
affect such species also, as well as waterfowl and shorebirds.
Changes in water quality or water volume in South Boulder -
Creek could affect aquatic food chains, but such changes
will be minor: water quality will not be degraded; the
• change in water quantity wi11 not be important. The existing
pond, however, will be eliminated taking all aquatic biota
with it. Some semi-aquatic birds and mammals , therefore,
will also experience a direct habitat loss .
Mitigation of Impacts
The existing wildlife habitat in the project area is marginal
at best. But it is habitat, for many species, and the wildlife
enthusiast would rather see it preserved than destroyed.
Fortunately, gravel mining can be accomplished to the benefit
• of wildlif4 and this sometimes occurs quite by accident.
Although the ponds and the natural revegetation which typically
i
�• develop are not always aesthetically pleasing, they tend,
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