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STATE OF COLORADO Bttl Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUA! OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Russell George, Directs 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (3031297-1192 ~II II~~I~II~I~~~ ~I~ 999 RECEIVED March 5, 2001 Carl Mount Division of Minerals & Geology 1313 Sherman Street Room 2I5 Denver, CO 80203 MAR 1 2 2001 Oivisioh of Minerals end Geology Re: Platte Sand & Glavel LLC, S & H Mine, File No. M-2000-158 Dear Mr. Mourn: For ~ldlife- For People The following constitute the comments of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Mike Sherman (Field Habitat Biologist) and Courtney Crawford (District Wildlife Manager) have reviewed this Reclamation Permit Application Consideration and made field visits to the proposed mine site on June 5, 2000, January 31, 2001, and February 6, 2001. We were accompanied on the first visit by Steve O'Brian, Environment ,Inc., and on the second visit by Jerry Craig, research scientist and raptor specialist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The Division of Wildlife continues to maintain those concerns stated our letter to Steve O'Brian (August 18, 2000) and included in the Reclaimation Permit Application Consideration. I have attached to this letter another letter written by Courtney Crawford to Weld County Dept. of Plaluling Services (February 7, 2001) regazding this project and wish you to also consider these comments and recommendations. In addition, we have further concerns and recommendations as follows. It is our understanding that a dredge and fill permit (404) is not required at this time because no jurisdictional wetlands will be impacted. However, the proposed mining activity will take place adjacent to existing wetlands, high quality riparian habitat, and mature cottonwood groves. We are concerned about the potential to negatively impact these surrounding habitat types from the drawdown of groundwater levels in the vicinity. We aze particulazly concerned about the possible impact to mature cottonwood trees growing along the length of the South Platte River because of their historical and current use by the federally listed (threatened) Bald eagle. We aze particularly concerned about the possible impact to wetlands and riparian habitat because this is potential habitat for the federally listed (threatened) Preble's meadow jumping mouse. Note there is a historical record for this species within close proximity to the project area. We highly recommend that the applicant be required to establish a detailed monitoring program for review by outside entities (e.g. Division of Wildlife, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) to prevent drawdown of groundwater levels in all wetlands, riparian habitat, and cottonwood groves adjacent to the proposed mining activity. I have enclosed a map marking the location of the Bald eagle winter roost which stretches along the DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Gng E. Wak;her, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Bernard L. Blade, Jr., Chairman • Ridt Enstiom, Vice-Chairman • Phily James, Secretary Members. Tom Burke .Mark LeVallev • Marianna Raftoooubs • Robert Shoemaker • Orrve VaHez