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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Bruce McCloskey, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80276 Telephone: (303) 297-I 192 wildlije.stare.co. us September 22, 2006 Ms. Catherine Roberson Grand Junction Field Office Manager ' United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office 2815 H Road Grand Junction, CO 81505 Deaz Catherine, ^ FE~~a:'~1~'EJ 2~~6 SEP 25 Aii 10~ 56 G~~~O ~~q~ ti ON OF `~ For ~ldlffe- For People The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has received your request for preliminary scoping comments on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being prepared for the proposed Red Cliff Mine north of Fruita, Colorado. Several CDOW professionals have met in the field and office to evaluate this proposal. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input regarding wildlife impacts at this early stage, and look forward to working with you as a Cooperating Agency on this project. The construction and railroad spur have the potential to negatively impact both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. As relates to aquatic species, we anticipate that Designated Critical Habitat forthekit fox. State Endangered (SE) bony[ail chub and razorback sucker, along with the State Threatened (ST) humpback chub and Colorado pikeminnow may be negatively impacted by water depletion related to the mining process. Other native aquatic species, including the Species of Special Concern (SC) Colorado roundtail chub may also be impacted. It is premature to estimate depletion impacts until the amount of water needed and the location of the diversion point have been identified. Many species ofterrestrial wildlife may also be impacted by the mine. The proposed rail loadout and railroad spur are located in potential habitat for the kit fox (SE). Townsend's big-eared bats (SC) along with other rare bat species may be present in the Bookcliffs, particularly near caves or abandoned mine shafts. Large mammals that may be impacted include mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and mountain lion. Small mammals include the cottontail rabbit, jack rabbit, badger, gray fox, prairie dog, woodrat, kangaroo rat, and white-tailed Uin[ah ground squirrel, among others. The proposed rail tine will course through white-tailed prairie dog habitat, a species of growing concern for CDOW. Burrowing owls (ST) are often associated with prairie dog colonies, and were observed during the 2006 preliminary ecological survey. The bald eagle (ST) may occur in the vicinity ofthe riparian area of East Salt Creek as well as in the agricultural lands and desert habitats near Loma and Mack. Other raptors, including the ferruginous hawk (SC), the American peregrine falcon (SC), prairie falcon, Swainson's hawk, American kestrel and northern hamer are known to occur within the azea proposed for the mine. Golden eagles and red-tailed hawks were observed in proximity to the mine portals. The greater sandhill crane (SC) is a common visitor to the agricultural areas near Mack during migations, and some have successfully nested in the area. Buffer zones for various raptors/birds of prey from 75 meters to 1/3 mile, depending on the species. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Claire O'Neal, Secretary Members, Robert &ay • &ad Coors • Rick Enstrom • Richard Ray • James McAnally • Ken Torres Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament