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COLORADO DIVISION OF WILD MINED WILDLIFE STATEMENT/EVAL ON (Revised) / for limited impact and select regular mine applications The following information pertaining to wildlife is provided for use by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology in their consideration of a mining permit for: Pioneer Farm Pit -Robert A. Grimm -Arapahoe Countv - T4S R64W Sec. 34 South 1 /2 _ Name/Type and location of Mine (Legal) Wildlife Species list: Very few wildlife species would use the wheat field. The prairie grassland strip at the west end of the tract would be used by meadowlarks, sparrows, mourning doves, other ground nesting birds, mice and other small mammals, snakes, hunting hawks, fox, coyote, and other wildlife. The Box Elder Creek stream bottom immediately to the west of this property would certainly support an even greater variety of wildlife. RECE~VEp Endangered/critical Species impacted: 14J~ JUL 2,Q 1000 None Oivislon of Minerals and Geology Critical habitats/vegetative communities impacted: The wheat field which makes up the vast majority of the property is very poor wildlife habitat. However, the narrow strip of grassland at the west end of the property is very high quality habitat. Assessment of impact: The impact of mining the wheatfield will be negligible for wildlife. Mining of the grassland strip at the west end of the site would both remove most of its value for wildlife (other than the 50' strip to be left in place). Mining at the west end would also cause some disturbance of wildlife in the nearby Box Elder Creek riparian zone, which is excellent wildlife habitat. Mine Reclamation recommendations (include key species/habitats for which restoration is designed). We suggest no reclamation for the wheat field area -continuing to grow wheat there is fine. However, we do suggest leaving the narrow grassland strip at the west end, including the triangle of grassland at the southwest comer of the property, unmined for the dual purpose of preserving this high quality habitat and keeping mining activity a bit farther away from the Box Elder Creek stream bottom. We noted one small patch of the noxious weed leafy spurge on the site and strongly suggest that it be controlled and that care be taken not to allow seeds to be spread by the mining activity. Prepared by: David Weber, Habitat Biologist Date: June 27. 2000 Submitted by: David Weber, Habitat Biologist Date: June 27. 2000 This statement is void if not processed within 1 year. This analysis does not constitute approval of the application.