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.- <br /> <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owens, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Russell George, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80276 <br />Telephone: (3031297-1792 <br />West Region Service Center <br />711 Independent Avenue <br />Grand Junction, CO 81505 / <br />Mesa County Planning <br />Attn.: Mr. Jim Hinderaker <br />P.O. Box 20000 <br />Grand Junction, CO 81502-5022 <br />Dear Mr. Hinderaker, <br />~~ <br />The Colorado <br />i <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />GG~~O <br />3 '~ .~ <br />4 <br />'%p~, OF ~~ <br />For Ifrldlife- <br />ForPeopk <br />December 4, 2002 <br />~, a~a -1~'0 ~/ <br />ion of Wildlife has reviewed the U <br />t/ <br />Conditional- Use Permit applica Ion 002-277 CUP1). I have had the opportunity to review <br />the petitioner's environmental assessment, along with the mining and reclamation plans <br />associated with this project. A site visit has also been conducted. While much of the area to <br />be disturbed is of limited value to wildlife, the parcel does contain some important wildlife <br />habitat features. <br />Lowland riparian vegetation is the most significant wildlife habitat occurring on <br />the property. This includes small groves of young cottonwoods found along both the north <br />and south boundaries of the proposed disturbance area, and approximately 10 mature <br />cottonwoods that are located within the proposed mining area. The young trees are used by <br />many species of songbirds for nesting. Hawks, owls and eagles rely on the mature <br />cottonwoods for nesting, hunting and roosting. Because of the extremely high value of <br />cottonwoods to wildlife, we recommend minimal disturbance of the cottonwood trees occurring <br />on this site. Where this is not possible, we recommend planting of 10 saplings/pole sized <br />trees for each mature cottonwood destroyed. This recommendation is especially important <br />due to the existence of an active bald eagle nest wiit7in 1 mile of this site. <br />This project will result in the creation of a 7.5 acre pond within the 100-year flood plain <br />of the Colorado River. The Division of Wildlife is concerned about the proliferation of non- <br />native fishes in ponds near the river, and the potential for those fish to enter the Colorado <br />River system during flood events. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service along with the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife can provide guidance and construction specifications for non-native fish <br />barriers if the pond will include an inlet or an outlet. A permit from the Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife will be necessary if the pond is to be stocked with fish following completion of the <br />project. <br />RECEIVED <br />DEC 162002 <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Walther, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Rick Enstrom, Chair • Robert Shoemaker, Vice-Chair • Marianna Raftopoulos, Secretary <br />Members, Bernard Black • Tom Burke • Jeffrey Crawford • Philip James • Brad Phelps • Olive Valdez <br />Ex-Officio Members, Greg E. Walther and Don Ament <br />