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<br />WILDLIFE STATEtdENT FOR MINE PERMIT APPLICATION <br />I. Mine Company <br />Valco, Inc. <br />P.0. Box 1340, Pueblo, Co. 81002 <br />2. Mine Type and Location <br />Gravel pit, parts of Sec. 31, 32 6 33, T. 20 S., R. 65 W. 6 Secs. 5 6 6, <br />T. 21 S., R. 65 W. <br />3. Duration of Operation <br />37 years <br />4. Total Area Disturbed <br />183 acres + <br />5. Wildlife Species List Red fox, Mule deer, Coyote, Bobcat, Cottontail rabbit, <br />Fox squirrel, Beaver, Golden eagle, Great horned owl, Kestrel, Ducks, Raven, <br />Magpie and many, many Passerine Birds. <br />6. Endangered Species Impacted <br />Peregrine falcon, Bald eagle <br />7. Assessment of Mining Impact on Wildlife <br />Areas 1, 3 and 4 will remove excellent riparian habitat. Reclamation of these <br />areas should be done as soon as possible following cessation of mining. These <br />mining activities will also have some impact on the City of Pueblo's urban <br />wildlife and urban trails programs along the Arkansas River. Rapid and aggre- <br />sive reclamation should minimize impacts on wildlife in the area. <br />B. Proposed Plitigation Pleasures, Including Reclamation for iildlife Habitat. <br />The proposed reclamation plan is acceptable, with the following exceptions: <br />1) Tree residues from clearing could be stacked around the edges of the pit <br />areas to provide brush piles for small game mammals and small birds. <br />Any residues which need to be hauled away can be placed on the state <br />wildlife area above Pueblo Dam. <br />2) Intermediate level vegetation including wild plum, wild cherry and/or <br />Hans en's rose (all available from Colo. State Forest Svc.) should be <br />planted in patches around the perimeter of the pit areas and adjacent to <br />any brush piles constructed to provide food and cover for wildlife. <br />Additionally, the numbers of Cottonwoods to be planted on the north side <br />of the pit should be increased and Russian olive should be mixed in with <br />the Cottonwoods. <br />3) It would be very beneficial to waterfowl and fisheries if shoal and <br />shallow areas are created occasionally around the perimeter of the <br />ponds by backfilling. These gradually sloping shallow areas would <br />provide feeding areas for ducks and feeding and reproduction areas <br />for fish. <br />Prepared by: Dal Schaefer Tack Vayh;nger Title: ~ r n W;tdt;fe R;ot_ <br />Date: January 24, 1978 <br />cc: R. Taliaferro, Environ. Res. <br />D. Schaefer <br />