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EXti=B=T H WILDLIFE INFORMATION This site is located along the South Platte River and has a low land riparian ecosystem. The main habitat areas would be along the river, the Lupton Bottoms Ditch and in the cottonwood and willow trees near the ditch. The site proposed for mining is presently used as unirrigated pastureland and has no intact stands of native vegetation. Key wildlife species expected on the property could include mule deer, whitetailed deer, red fox, raccoon, skunk, beaver, muskrat, fox squirrel, prairie dog, waterfowl, great horned owl, marsh hawk, swainson's hawk, great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, snakes, turtl8s, frogs, and toads. Our inspection of the site revealed no endangered or threatened species. At the time this application was put together, site evaluation information from the Department of Wildlife was still pending, but will be made part of this application as soon as it is received. In order to minimize the effects of the mining operation on the wildlife, the following measures will be taken 1. To the extent possible, the mining will minimize the removal of trees on the property. The best stand of trees on the property is located between the two branches of the ditch, an area that will not be disturbed by mining. 2. The riparian habitat along the South Platte River will not be disturbed by mining. 3. The Reclamation Plan proposes the planting of clusters of trees and shrubs to serve as wildlife habitat and food sources. 4. It is anticipated that the lakes created by the mining and reclamation will enhance the wildlife habitat on the property. Slopes will be constructed at a maximum of 3a1 above the water and to ten feet below the water in order to facilitate access to the water's edge by wildlife. 5. The depth of the lakes will be from 15 to 20 feet and will be available for warm water fisheries. Stocking the fish is not proposed in the reclamation plan nor will the lakes be available for public fishing. H-1