2008-03-25_PERMIT FILE - M2008017

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BURROWING OWL SURVEY FOR A PROPOSED GRAVEL PIT PROJECT AT THE DERR PROPERTY IN WELD COUNTY, COLORADO INTRODUCTION This report outlines the methods and results of a survey conducted to determine the presence or absence of burrowing owls at a proposed gravel pit project area at the Derr Pro e rtY near Greeley, Colorado along Balsam Avenue. Weld County p from the Derr ty proposes to mine aggregate materials Property. Diversified Consulting Solutions, Inc. (des) and its team is preparing the baseline documents for this project, including the environmental and biological reports and permits. PROJECT LOCATION This site is located on the east side of Greeley, Colorado and lies on the east side of Balsam Avenue north of Eighth Street or Highway 263. The project area lies in the middle of Section 4 at the southwest/aof the northeast '/4 Township 5 North, Range 65 West. The longitude is 104 degrees, 40 minutes, 6 seconds and the latitude is 40 degrees, 25 minutes, 44 seconds. The NAD 27 UTM coordinates are Zone 13, Easting 528178 and Northing 4475206. The WGS 84 (NAD 83) UTM coordinates for the site are Zone 13, Easting 528133 and Northing 4475414. The elevation of the project area is approximately 4,630 feet above sea level. Figure 1 presents a vicinity map of the project area. Figure 2 presents the project area within the Greeley, Colorado USGS quadrangle map. PROJECT AREA DESCRIPTION The project area is surrounded by ranch lands, pastureland, agricultural lands, and rural residential properties. The site has been occupied by black-tailed prairie dogs for a number of years. The last 12 years or so have seen major 'prairie dog extermination efforts on the subject property, but surrounding lands have unchecked prairie dog populations and these small mammals immigrated to the Derr Property frequently. Surrounding lands provide approximately 60 acres of. uninterrupted black-tailed prairie dog colony within this short-grass prairie and altered ranchland complex. Thus, compliance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, is required to determine the presence or absence of the burrowing owl which is a Candidate species. The burrowing owl favors prairie dog holes for nesting in the spring and early summer months. SURVEY DATE The survey was conducted on May 2, 4, 10, and 12, 2006.