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STATE OF COLORAf1s?
<br />BIII Owens, Governor
<br />• DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />DiVfSION OF WiLDLiFE
<br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
<br />Bruce McCloskey, Director
<br />6060 Broadway
<br />Denver, Colorado 80216
<br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192
<br />December 19, 2005
<br />Douglas L. Conger
<br />Geologist
<br />Geological Services
<br />711 Harhnan Road
<br />Cortez, Co. 81321-4029
<br />Re: Larsen Land and Equipment, LLC. wildlife evaluation for proposed Byzantine Quarry
<br />Douglas L.Conger,
<br />GO~~O
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<br />District Wildlife Manager Bob Cazochi has looked at the proposal for the Byzantine Quarry extension and is familiar with the
<br />site. We would offer the following comments for your consideration:
<br />No known threatened or endangered species currently inhabit the site. The proposed development site is occupied by native
<br />• short grass prnrrie plant species. Passerine bird species typical of this habitat type in the region include: species of sparrows,
<br />finches, wrens, swallows, humming bads, meadow larks, doves, scaled quail, ravens, crows, and Black-billed Magpie. Birds
<br />of prey such as, Red-tailed hawks, Swainson's hawks, Nighthawks, Kestrels, and owls are also common to this area. Reptiles
<br />of the area include the short-horned lizards, triploid checkered whiptail Lizards, six lined race runner lizards, racer snakes,
<br />western hognose snakes, milk snakes, coachwhips, bull snakes, garter snakes, and the western rattle snake. Mammals of the
<br />area include Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, Black bear, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, cotton-tailed rabbits, jackrabbits, bats, pocket
<br />mice and other small rodent species. Whi]e some species in these Lists may be migratory or only on the property intermittently
<br />other species are currently present on the proposed site.
<br />The extension of mining operations at this site will have minimal impact to the wildlife in the arez provided reclamation is
<br />completed in a timely manner.
<br />Reclamation should incorporate plant species and guidelines set forth by local N.R.C.S. staff. In addition to those species that
<br />are recommended by N.R.C.S., we would suggest including a shrub component that would increase the diversity and make the
<br />site more attractive to such species as Scaled Quail, and Mule Deer. Mountain Mahogany and Cholla Cactus would be
<br />appropriate, as would other species of similar type. Replacement of the current tree cover in the area would also help to
<br />maintain and/or increase the diversity of the site once mining has concluded.
<br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. Please feel free to give me a call at (719)530-5522 if you have any
<br />questions or require additional information.
<br />Sin erely,
<br />p+-...
<br />ames Aragon, a Wildlife Manager
<br />Salida Service Center
<br />7405 US Hwy 50
<br />• Salida, Co. 81201
<br />(719)530-5522
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, ExeaAive Director
<br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffiey Crawford, Chair. Tom Burke, Vice Chair. Ken Tones, Secretary
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