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Cynthia Parker/Sage Hill Farm <br />Public Comment on CDMG 112 Permit Application M2001-046 <br />Page 3 <br />A. Sage Hill Farm Wetland. An approximately 19-acre wetland exists on the north <br />boundary of my farm, adjacent to Weld County Road 28 and less than 100 feet away <br />from the proposed mining operation. This wetland lies in the hundred-year floodplain <br />and is clearly visible on Exhibit C-2: Pre-Mine Plan Map Natural Features which was <br />included with the application. This wetland has been the recipient of a $20,366 grant <br />from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetland Reserve Program. In <br />1996, by action of the Board of Directors, this wetland was "adopted" by the Platte & <br />Prairie Chapter of National Audubon Society. The dewatering process associated with <br />the proposed gravel mine will dry up this wetland. <br />B. Shelterbelt Adjacent to Road 28. A 900' long, eight-row windbreak/shelterbelt <br />runs parallel to the north boundary of my farm, adjacent to Road 28 and directly across <br />from Stage 3 of the proposed mining operation. The first four rows of this shelterbelt <br />were planted in 1995 under the Colorado State Forest Service Forest Stewazdship <br />Program for a total cost of approximately $3,000. The second four rows of this <br />shelterbelt were planted in 2000 under a Division of Wildlife Colorado Habitat <br />Improvement Program grant of $2,661. <br />If a drawdown of the water table level takes place due to the dewatering of the gravel pits <br />next door, the trees and shrubs of this shelterbelt will be impacted. As the trees and <br />shrubs aze growing, they will adapt their roots to the lower water table level resulting <br />from the drawdown. When the water table eventually rises again, returning to its <br />historically high level after the dewatering operations are complete, the deeper roots of <br />the trees will rot out. This will weaken the plants, creating a higher susceptibility to <br />insect attack and other problems, and could actually kill the trees. <br />C. Shelterbelt Adjacent to Spring-ted Pond. In 1996, asix-row shelterbelt of 500 <br />shrubs was planted adjacent to this pond with the help of a Division of Wildlife Colorado <br />Habitat Improvement Program grant. The initial total cost of this planting was $1,998. <br />This shelterbelt was located near the pond in order to provide nesting habitat for ducks <br />and good cover for animals approaching the pond to drink. If the spring goes dry due to <br />the proposed mining operation, this shelterbelt's value to wildlife will be considerably <br />diminished. <br />D. USDA Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program Grant. My farm has just been <br />awarded a $4,374 Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program grant from the Department of <br />Agriculture. This grant was obtained based in lazge part upon the high water table in the <br />northwest portion of my farm. This area, which borders a large drain ditch on my west <br />boundary, can be developed into good riparian habitat because the water table in that <br />field has been documented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service as being at 3' <br />in the summer. This means that willows should do very well in this azea. <br />The grant, which will be implemented in spring of 2002, is for planting asix-row, 720'- <br />long riparian shelterbelt of native willows. If the gravel mining operation lowers the <br />water table of the front portion of my farm, these willows will not survive, since willows <br />