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To The Lcttcr of +[a, ].7 <br />1979 <br />ihn Following tn(nrm'ikion pnrt.ninlnil t^ ~~iilrlll(n l': providr:d for use by <br />the Land f7r'clnrnatinn Flaard in their consideration of a mining permit <br />' (OC EAr[h iC iCnC~'S InC. <br />EI I'lomn nine <br />I The CnlorarJo Division of Wildlife does herehy find, t^ the best of our <br />knowledge, that the impact of the propos~[1 mining operation on wi:.dlife <br />' will be <br />minor <br />'( moderate <br />major <br />Mina Location: T 32 S, R 71 W, Sec[•on 21; E}, NWG and W=, NEc <br />Wildlife Species List: (may be attached) Elk, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, <br />coyote, badger, cotconrail rabbits, golden and bald eagles, as well as other raptors, <br />Rio Grande cutthroat, brook and h mom [rout and many other species of small mammals, <br />birch, reptiles and amphibians inhabit [his area. The primary species [hat will be <br />of^ntinlly i~noar.trd o-,ill h^_ the big game and aquatic species. <br />Endangared Species Impacted: <br />Southern bald eagles and [he state threatened Rio Grande cutthroat. <br />Assessment ^F Impact an Wildlife: This area is a critical big game winter-range <br />for deer anti elk. The project site is on a south facing slope which is even more <br />important for big game. A loss in o-+inCer habitat will occur during the project <br />operation. Operation of [he area [h rough the ~:+inter months will open access to the <br />area, resulting .n additional poaching in an area which already has significant <br />poaching problems. General humon activity, associated o-+i [h [he mining ac[ivi[y~, <br />:,ill have [he major impact on wildliFe. Of great concern Co our Division is the <br />1 Rin Grande cutthroat [rout. [~+hich is found in Rito Seco Lreek. This species is <br />currently on [he Colorado threatened species list. Tlie Division of lildlife <br />(over) <br />Mine fieclnmatton 17 ecommendations: (may he attached) <br />The Division of Wildlife recommends closure of [he area [o mining activity from <br />January I thru March 31 of each year as discussed with Ear[li Sciences Inc. personnel. <br />This should alleviate poaching problems associated with open access Co the mining <br />' oueration. The D01J also recunin ie ads LhaC every safety precaution Le Laken [o prevent <br />anv toxic spills [o Ri[o Seco Lreek. This should include diversion drains, seals, <br />and proper con5[ruction of sr,Ctlinq basins to prevent any loss of effluents From [he <br />operation. Thirdly, the DOW recommends [ha[ ESI take the necessary measures [o <br />minim~zc noise. levr.ls From the diesel engine [hat will run the gen craters. This can <br />be accomplished by o-+hichr.ver method is preferrr.d by and most economical [o the opera- <br />tor. In ad'di[ion the DOIJ recommends that reclamation steps be taken at [he old <br />operation site to contain current spills and run-ofF From reaching Ri[o Seco Creek. <br />Division of Wildlife personnel have met with Earth Sciences Inc. and Mired Land <br />Reclamation personnel to d15C1155 reclainnt'on plans for [hr. old site. If these <br />' plans ara carried out as explained by Ftr. Dunne Dloom of ESI, [he DOW feels Iha[ <br />corrective. mu.isures grill have ber.n talon to prrvenl further problems. It will be <br />important fur ESI to have continued open communication o-+i th the Dis[ric[ Wildlife Manan• <br />Prepared by Dnn MnaJrn TStle District Wildlife Manager (over) <br />Date May Ih 1979 <br />cc: Ecological Services - Denver <br />I Rick She man <br />File <br />