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• <br /> 3) Wetland/Tree Complex - A wetland complex with a good number of surrounding trees is <br /> present about 100 yards west of Bull Seep in the north-central part of the property. Apparantly <br /> il• supported by irrigation runoff water, this complex is not a pristine wetland but does have good <br /> habitat characteristics for wildlife. <br /> 4) Scattered Small Habitat Areas - Although most of the parcel is cropland or abandoned <br /> cropland, there are scattered trees on the site, some quite large, which have value to wildlife. <br /> There are also add comers here and there which have good grass cover and serve as small <br /> pockets of habitat in an otherwise disturbed area. There is at least one, and possibly more, <br /> small wetland areas present which are apparantly supported by irrigation water. <br /> 5) Wetland/Tree/Grass Habitat at East Side of Property - As you enter the property from <br /> • the eastern access road, there is a good habitat area just as you come down the hill. A ditch <br /> appears to be present and there is high-value grass/tree/shrub cover in this area, as well as some <br /> wetland vegetation in association with the ditch. <br /> 6) Small Pond/Riparian Complex -This complex, which is apparantly a formerly mined area, <br /> is referred to on your photo as "Cooley Gravel Pit - Subdivision 4th Filing" and Lot 1, Blocks <br /> '• 1 and 2. It is to the far southwest end of the proposed project. This area has developed good <br /> habitat characteristics. The ponds are used by waterfowl and other water birds. The riparian <br /> tree, shrub, and grass vegetation is coming in fairly well. My impression from the inofrmation <br /> you sent is that this area is not proposed for additional mining, but might possibly be dedicated <br /> for open space purposes. <br /> • <br /> That briefly summarizes the wildlife habitat areas of interest on the property. We have these <br /> specific suggestions with regard to avoiding/mitigating for impacts to wildlife habitat. <br /> 1) Maintain an appropriate buffer along the South Platte River! - This one is pretty <br /> • obvious, and we have some specific suggestions for buffer width. At the northwest corner of <br /> the property the South Platte is bordered on the south by an area of trees which is about 500-600 <br /> feet wide. In this vicinity we suggest following the Urban Drainage and Flood Control <br /> guidelines and keeping the mine 400 feet away from the river edge, and avoiding the necessity <br /> of any bank protection work. To mitigate for the loss of trees in the strip beyond 400 feet, we <br /> • suggest planting additional trees and/or shrubs within the 400 foot buffer strip, with a goal of <br /> at least replacing the number of trees lost to the mine. If you decide that mining would be <br /> desirable closer than 400' from the river in this area, we suggest that mining might take place <br /> up to 250' from the river bank if the following mitigation measures were implemented in the <br /> remaining 250' zone: <br /> • - move topsoil from the main mine area into this riparian zone and cover as much as <br /> possible of the current poor rocky soil with at least 4-6 inches of topsoil. Avoid <br /> damaging any trees during the process. <br /> • - re-seed the topsoiled area with native grasses with good wildlife value. <br /> • <br />