PERMFILE125766

• Permit No: M2007003
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/12/2007
• Doc Name: Comments
• From: DOW
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bruce McCloskey, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: [phone]
wild(ifestate.co.us
Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
March 6, 2007 - _ __, _ _ _
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Dear Sir or Madam: ,/
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Jack Beedle, Beedle Quarry permit, File No. M-20U7-
003. Our local district officer, Lance Gatlin, sm p ce led the site (T20S, R69W, Sec. 2), and offers the following
comments.
The site is characterized as short-grass prairie with a low to moderate potential for impact due to the
diversity of species of wildlife present. With the development of the site there will be an increased non-vegetated
surface area and thus an increased potential for erosion from water and wind events. As with all areas that have
been disturbed, the possibility of infestation by noxious weeds is more likely to occur.
The application states that 9.96 acres will be mined. Hardscrabble Creek is an intermittent stream adjacent
to the mine site. Potential exists for Hardscrabble Creek to receive storm runoff from the mine site. We believe an
incremental approach to mining the site will provide the best erosion control as well as have the least amount of
impact to wildlife. We suggest mining in 5-acre increments. As the next 5 acres are mined, the previous 5 acres
are being reclaimed. Implementing this method, in conjunction with a drainage control berm, will allow for the
maximum amount of erosion control practical, thus reducing the risk of negatively impacting Hardscrabble Creek.
This reclamation method will also benefit wildlife by increasing rangeland availability.
We would also suggest that a plan to control the proliferation of noxious weeds be implemented. Noxious
weeds are already established in the surrounding area and without the reclamation efforts that have been suggested;
this habitat would further lose value to all wildlife species and potentially have an adverse effect on their condition
as well as the viability of the adjoining habitat communities. Lastly, a seed mix for revegetation containing a high
percentage of grass and shrub components to benefit pronghorn antelope and mule deer_would be recommended as
well as other vegetative species that would highly benefit wildlife.
The Division appreciates having the opportunity for input. Please feel free to contact me at our Salida
office at [phone] if you have any questions. Thank you once again for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
~. ~i
Jim Aragon _
Area Wildlife Manager
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Claire 0' Neal, Secretary
Members, Robert Ekay • Brad Coors • Rick Enstrom .Richard Ray • James McAnally • Ken Tortes
Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman and John Stulp