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Page Two MY Ranch Gravel Pit Operation January 18, 2000 place them on the threatened/endangered species list. The Division of Wildlife, concerned individuals, and entities are currently working on a Sage Grouse Conservation Plan for the Middle Park basin that we hope would either pre-empt this listing or soften the results of the listing. Based on the outcome of the plan and conservation practices developed as a result, the Division of Wildlife would like to work with the landowner and gravel pit operator to protect this lek and the birds associated with it. One recorrtmendation might be that gravel pit operations or associated activities would not star[ before 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. while the birds are present on the lek in the months of March through May. Other birds associated with the sagebrush steppe (viz. Sage thrashers, mountain bluebirds, and vesper sparrows) are likely affected by the conversion of this habitat to industrial/gravel mining operations. Also small mammals (ground squirrels, badgers, and foxes) would also be possibly affected. However, the impacts would not be significant and none are threatened/endangered or species of special concern. Based upon these observations, the Division of Wildlife does not anticipate any significant impacts to wildlife on the MY Ranch, with the possible exception of sage grouse due to the gravel pit operation and associated activity. Again, the Division of Wildlife would like [o work with the gravel pit operators to minimize these impacts, and in the meantime plans to continue its conservation planning effort within the community as a whole to prevent the sage grouse from becoming listed as a federal threatened or endangered species. Sincerely, Bob Thompson District Wildlife Manager P.O. Box 617 Kremmling, CO 80459 Xc: file Rob Firth, AWM Chuck Wagner, Terrestrial Biologist DMJ General Contractors Inc.