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TATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owens, Governor G~~~O <br />~3 ~ <br />DIVISIONATOF RWILDLIFE ~; ~ ~~ ~~ <br />AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (j~~; ,w` ~ -~j® "il+f0 yqy <br />Bruce McCloskey, Director ~'OF`~ <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 For l~ldlife- <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 For People <br />wildl ife.state. co. us <br />James L Aragon, AWM <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />7405 US Hwy 50 <br />Salida, CO 81201 <br />719-530-5522 <br />Environmental Alternatives Inc. <br />Attn: Angela Bellantoni <br />402 Valley Road, Suite G <br />Canon City, CO 81212 <br />January 5, 2007 <br />Dear Madam: <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Northfield Coal Mine project, located at T19S, R70W, <br />Sec. 13, Fremont County, Colorado. <br />Our local district officer, Lance Gatlin inspected the site. What he found in regards to your request follows: <br />This property is predominately a pinion juniper community accompanied by many species of shrubs <br />including, but not limited to, oak brush, mountain mahogany, rabbit brush as well as cactus and native short grass <br />species. It contains a dry creek bed, known as Chandler Creek, and typically only flows in times of significant <br />rainfall and snow melt. Elevation on the property ranges approximately from 5,100 to 5,400 feet. <br />Specific species' in question with the application includes the Arkansas Darter, Bald Eagle, Black-footed <br />Ferret, Canada Lynx and the Mexican Spotted Owl. <br />Arkansas Darter -this small fish is a species of concern and is found in the Arkansas River drainage. <br />The closest documented site of where this species exists is located near the Florence, CO water treatment facility at <br />Highway 115. Although this property is within the geographic range of the species, it is not believed that the <br />actions proposed on this property will have any impact on the Arkansas Darter. <br />Bald Eagle -this bird of prey is a threatened species and is commonly found in the vicinity of the <br />Arkansas River drainage. Their presence is most noted during the winter months of November through March as <br />many eagles reside in the drainage at that time. One of their primary foods during this time is prairie dogs. There <br />are a few known prairie dog towns in the area, but none on the property, nor are there any known roost sites or <br />nesting perches. Although this property is within the geographic range of the species, it is believed that the actions <br />proposed on this property will have little if any impact on the Bald Eagle. <br />Black-footed Ferret -this small mammal is an endangered species and is not found in the Arkansas River <br />drainage. This property is not within the geographic range of the species, therefore the actions proposed on this <br />property will have no impact on the Black-footed Ferret. <br />Canada Lynx -this small mammal is a threatened species and is not found in this area of the Arkansas <br />. River drainage. This property is not within the geographic range of the species, therefore the actions proposed on <br />this property will have no impact on the Canada Lynx. <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Jeffrey Crawford, Chair • Tom Burke, Vice Chair • Claire O' Neal, Secretary <br />Members, Robert Bray • Brad Coors • Rick Enstrom • Richard Ray • James McAnally • Ken Torres <br />Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament <br />