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<br /> <br />IMPACTS OF PROPOSED PROJECT TO EXISTING WILDLIFE HABITAT: <br />Due to the variety of the habitats involved and the magnitude and duration of <br />the proposed gravel mine operation, I feel that there is also a variety of <br />potential impacts that could result from this operation. These impacts are <br />quite variable dependant on the species in question and the proximity to the <br />proposed site. The impacts I feel potentially might occur are as follows: <br />1) Overall, there will be some level of disturbance to all wildlife in <br />the area due to the noise factor. This level will be greatest to <br />those species closest to the operation, and it will understandably <br />lessen as the distance from the mine increases. I feel that the <br />noise disturbance will cause minor behavior pattern adjustments to <br />the majority of those animals in the immediate vicinity. It is <br />important to note that most species of wildlife are extremely <br />adaptable to minor disruptions. However, it is equally important to <br />note that a primary method associated with adaptation is <br />abandonment. <br />With this in mind, it has been brought to my attention that there may be a <br />small active sharp-tail grouse dancing ground to the south of the proposed <br />site. I have been unable to verify its existence in any Division of Wildlife <br />documents. Also, several landowners in the area have not seen any dancing <br />grounds in the area in question throughout their numerous years in the area. <br />However, if in fact there were any productive dancing grounds in the immediate <br />vicinity of the proposed site, I feel that the noise disturbance may <br />potentially impact the sharp-tail grouse to such a degree that they abandon <br />those breeding grounds. <br />2) There potentially could be some level of disturbance to some <br />wildlife species due to the increased volume of dust in the <br />environment, with amphibians being the most susceptible. However, I <br />feel that the increase of dust will have no significant impact on <br />most of those animals utilizing the surrounding area. <br />3) Overall, there will be some level of disturbance to all wildlife in <br />the area due to the increased volume of traffic to the area. <br />I feel that the increase in traffic to the area will cause minor <br />behavior pattern adjustments to those animals in the immediate <br />vicinity, with the bald eagles on the Yampa River below the proposed <br />site being one of the more susceptible species in the area. <br />Currently, there are two bald eagles that utilize the Yampa River below the <br />proposed site. The bald eagle is federally listed as a threatened species, <br />and there are strict laws governing certain aspects pertaining to them. There <br />has not been a documented nest site in the past in this particular area, but <br />the bald eagles are utilizing several of the trees in the area as hunting <br />perches. It is not certain if these eagles are a pair, and if they are, then <br />if they have demonstrated "prenuptial type" behavior or not, but this is <br />fairly often precursory to breeding. This disturbance may force the eagles to <br />abandon the area. <br />(2) <br />