PERMFILE116707

• Permit No: M2007035
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/12/2007
• Doc Name: Wildlife Input Statment
• From: CDOW
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE DECEIVED
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER !JUG 121007
Mark B. Konishi, Acting Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216 Division of Reclamation,
Telephone: [phone] Mining and Safety
wildlife.state.co.us
July 9, 2007
Thomas A. Schreiner, Environmental Protection Specialist
Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety
Department of Natwal Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203 permd % 0 0.35- Confidental?:
Class:,„ Type-Seq.:
RE: Sessions Gravel Pit From: To:
Doc. Name:
Doc. Date (if no dates p) 7 0]
Deaz Mr. Schreiner:
For tlrldlrfe-
For People
On behalf of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, I thank you for the opportunity to provide input into the
development of the Sessions gravel pit located in the NWI/4 NE1/4 Section 9, T9N, R79W of the ti`s P.M..
District Wildlife Manager Josh Dilley has reviewed the project proposal and made a visit to the site. He has
provided the following comments. The construction of the proposed gravel pit and improvements to the existing
access road will eliminate approximately 20 acres of sagebrush/grass habitat and displace wildlife from the site for
the period of development, however, sufficient habitat exists adjacent to the proposed site to support the wildlife
displaced by the gravel pit operation. An access road already exists to the gravel pit site from Highway 125,
therefore, no additional habitat fragmentation will occw by creating a new access road.
The azea provides habitat to many species of wildlife including, coyotes, badgers, songbirds, and a vaziety of
raptors. This area also serves as significant habitat for fow economically important species of wildlife. These aze:
Greater Sage Grouse (overall range, production range) Pronghorn (overall range, winter concentration area), Mule
Deer (winter concentration area), and White-tailed Prairie Dogs (overall range). These species depend on the
sagebrush ecosystem dwing various seasons of the yeaz.
Of particulaz concern is the Greater Sage Grouse. The nearest sage grouse lek is approximately one and a three
quarter miles to the southwest of the site. This means that there could be sage grouse nesting on or around the
gravel pit site. However, with the surrounding azea, we feel that the sage grouse should be able to fmd alternate
nesting sites.
If the site is to be fenced, please consider a fence that would allow wildlife to pass through easily, while keeping
domestic livestock out of the azea of operation. A four wire fence would be sufficient. A fence that would
accomplish these tasks would consist of a smooth top and bottom wire with wire spacing (from top to bottom) of
42 inches, 30 inches, 23 inches, and 16 inches. The two middle wires could be barbed. In addition to these
suggestions, it is recommended that the top wire is constructed of a highly visible, coated wire. This allows for
better visibility when animals jump the fence, and when birds (particularly greater sage grouse) are in flight.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hams D. Sherman, Exeatrve DireGor
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tom Burke, Chair • Claire O'Neal, Yce Chau • Robert Bray, Secretary
Members, Dennis Buedlk:r • Brad Coors • Jeffrey Crawtorci • Tim Glenn • Roy Mo4naly • Richard Ray
Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman acrd John Stulp