2008-04-03_PERMIT FILE - M2008009 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: M2008009
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 4/3/2008
• Doc Name: Comment on the proposed gravel pit
• From: Division of Wildlife
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

NS7?~~E OF COLORADO
W
n ~ill Ritter, Jr., Governor
~~L/DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
(,DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Tom Remington, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: [phone]
March 27, 2008
APR 0 3 2008
G~~~v \
sro~ OF `~~
`~ For Wildlife-
~For People
Division of Reclamation,
Mining and Safety
Travis H. Marshall
Environmental Protection Specialist
Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
it No. M-2008-009 "
RE• Luster OII Company, Inc., Luster Plt, F e
Mr. Marshall:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on th prnnpsP~ gr~J_{~i#~ The Colorado Division
of Wildlife believes that the habitat within the development area has a moderate wildlife value.
Wildlife species in the area include deer, elk, eagles, coyotes, and numerous other species.
The gravel pit activity will. take place in or.adjacent to riparian habitat. Riparian habitats along
with water are crucial for most wildlife in the area. throughout the year. The majority of animals
use this habitat type for some aspect of their life cycle. Riparian areas are the most fragile to
disruption and offer the .best habitat to a wide variety of animal species.
The proposed site is likely most important for mule deer winter range and elk severe winter
range. We would recommend that a seasonal closure on the mining operation during the
critical winter/early spring period (January 1 to March 31). This would mitigate some of the
stress/disturbance to wintering deer/elk, if possible.
Non-native weed species have become established on many disturbed soils throughout the
area. The invasion of non-native weeds reduces the density of native vegetation and lessens
the habitat values for native wildlife. species. Many of these non-native weeds are not used as
forage by wildlife. The continual control and removal of non-native weeds on the
disturbed/rehabilitated sites will help restore native vegetation that is valuable to wildlife.
The gravel pit lies in an area where native vegetation provides foraging, nesting, and cover
,habitats.for.numerous species of,wildlife. The removal and disturbance of native vegetation
for the construction ofahe above gravel pit and: associated roads_v/ill negatively: impact the
native wildlife species,associated with this project area, , Upon_I`ehabilitation of gravel pit, ~~~•
negative impacts to native wildlife can be offset by planting a'suitable mixttal=e of native ~~~~-'~~
grass/forb/shrub seed.: Seed plantings on disturbed soils will have. greater germination and
survival rates when the;soil surface has been prepared to bold moisture and runoff ''~`
precipitation. Soils will exhibit increased moisture retention' capabilities when the soil 'surface
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hams D. Sherman, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tom Burke, Chair • Claire O'Neal, Vice Chair • Robert Bray, Secretary
Members, Brad Coors ~ Jeffrey Crawford • Rick Enstrom • Roy McAnally • Richard Ray • Ken Torres
6c Officio Members, Hams Sherman and John Stulp