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Jul 20 O1 11:52a PRONIR RRNGER DISTRICT 970-527-4151 • will not increase the density of motorized roads and/or trails within the watershed since utilized routes will be closed and reclaimed when the project is completed. Dry Fork Grazing Allotment permiltees (via Dallas Hazding) were also contacted for the Apri14 decision, and expressed concems for reclaiming the areas so that oakbrush is not replaced, and cautioned about closing roads before knowing what the ultimate mine needs would be. Utilization of the grazing allotment will be continued and coordinated with the drilling operations. Rich Rudin called voicing opposition to the proposal, and expressed the need to see long- tenrl plans and that an EA should be prepazed. The Delta County Commissioners commented that the project would be necessary to ensure the health and safety of the miners, and that the proposal would not create a significant impact to the area in question. The District Wildlife Biologist (DWB) indicated there would be no effects to threatened, endangered or sensitive species (project file). The Biological AssessmentBiological Evaluations completed for previous lease NEPA reviews in 1995 and 1998 were reviewed and detemrined to still be applicable with no changes (project file). Management indicator species (MIS) analysis for the 1995 and 1998 decisions were reviewed for direct, indirect and clunulative effects with this project. Goshawks and • Lewis' woodpeckers were found to be "no effect". Elk and deer use the area as summer range. Cleariug vegetation for drill pads and reclaiming by recontouring and seeding will slightly increase potential elk and deer foraging areas. The project azea is within elk winter range as mapped by the CDOW. Stipulations approved in previous Decision Notices and Finding of No Significant Impacts associated with these sites restricts drilling activities from December I through April 30 to protect big game winter range and are still in place for this project. The DWB conducted a field visit with the CDOW Wildlife Manager regarding winter range or other wildlife issues. After reviewing the winter range resource conditions on the ground, the CDOW Wildlife Manager indicated that long tenn yeaz round monitoring access by ATV is not anticipated to negatively impact elk. Mitigation measures were developed with the CDOW Wildlife Manager to prevent potential impacts for migratory birds and hunter conflicts. See Attachment B Conditions of Approval. Tlne District Range Management (DRM) specialist expressed concems regarding the need to control noxious weed infestations on disturbed ground, and provided a recommended seed mix for reclamation (project file and Attachment B). Eazlier NEPA documentation (1995) for the area indicated that the Grand Mesa penstemon was present in the area, and usually colonizes on disturbed ground. The Grand Mesa penstemon has since been removed as a candidate species, and is no longer considered a Forest Service sensitive species, so it's presence is not a concern. p.4 The Zone Archaeologist confirmed that previous archaeological surveys had been • performed for these locations, and showed negative results (project File).