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EXHIBIT B-2 <br />S7ATE OF COLORADO D ~ _ <br />BYI Owens, Governor LOS <br />DEPARTMFJJT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE ~ " <br />AN EQUAL OPPoRTUNflY ENIPLOYEII <br />Russel George, D'racts ~ <br />solo &oedwey Fur lVlid/ifi- <br />Derrver, Cokxedo 802[8 ForPtopk <br />TNephona: 13051 297.1182 <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />Walden Work Center <br />PO Boz 70 <br />Walden, CO 80480 <br />(970) 723-4625 <br />Julie Gcettemoeller <br />Lafarge Corp. <br />1590 W. 12m Ave. <br />Denver, CO 80204 <br />May 9, 2001 <br />ItE; Fairbanks Pit in Jackson County <br />Deaz Ms. Goettemceller, <br />I was able to visit the site of the proposed Fairbanks pit neaz Gould in Jackson County an <br />May 3. Below are my comments regarding the impacts to wildlife from this proposed operation and <br />recommendatians to lessen the impacts. <br />The sites current candition is a mix of mostly lodgepole pine forest with riparian area to dte <br />southwest and a small area of sagebrush between the two. The riparian area is the Middle Fork of the <br />Michigan River. The Michigan River does have river otter including known sightings within .5 miles <br />in the Gould area. River Otter are a Colorado state endangered species. Other wildlife species present <br />in the area include big game (moose, deer, elk, black bear), small game {coyotes, pine squirrel, <br />rabbits, foz), and nan-game species {various neo-tropical birds, Gray Lay, Stellaz's Jay, least <br />chipmunk). Aquatic species in the Michigan River include introduced trout (cutthroat, rainbow, <br />brown, and brook trout) and native fish {white sucker, Johnny darter, creek chub, fathead minnow). <br />The riparian area also has striped chorus frogs and garter snakes. <br />Recent timber operations an the site have bcen to thin the lodgepole forest. During my site <br />visit 1 met with the logger and he explained that asix-acre site was to be cleared for the sand and <br />gravel operation. This site is immediately south of an old gravel pit. <br />Based upon the site and the proposed short-term operation I do not anticipate any significant <br />impacts to wildlife. The main concern would be of impacts to the adjac;erlt riparian area. Riparian <br />areas provide important habitat and movement corridors for a wide range of wildlife species. The <br />proposed operation should not involve disturbance of the riparian area; however, I would recommend <br />use of erosion barrier to prevent impacts to the river from siltation or increased sediment loading. <br />During the operation of the pit and while reclaiming the site I recommend that the operators work <br />cooperatively with the Jackson County Weed Management Program to develop a weed management <br />DEPARTMENT Of NATURAL ftfSOI/RCES, Greg E. Wakher, Executive Directs <br />WILDISE COMMISSION, ti[k ErstrOm, CFav • Robert ShoerrWca, YrCeChas • Mananna Raftopoulos, Secretary <br />Members, Bsnard Black • Tom sake • Philip James • Mark LeValley • Olive Valdez <br />Ex-OMicio Members. Greg E Wakher and Don Mient <br />