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SEP-29-2008 10:21AM FROM-DIV RECLAMATION MINING & SAFETY <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Thomas E. Remington, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />wildlife. state. co. us <br />Travis H. Marshall <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman St. Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />RE: Enlar6ne size of Current Connell Gravel Pit <br />Mr. Marshall: <br />+3038328106 T-509 P.002/003 F-693 <br />Go'p'?o <br />SEP ? J 2660 `fp <br />?' OF <br />C) <br />Di?:;slon o::;;:clumation, <br />Mining 2nd Safety For 61rildlife- <br />For People <br />September 23rd , 2008 <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Connell's proposed gravel pit enlargement at the White River City <br />Pit. The Colorado Division of Wildlife believes that the site near Rio Blanco County Road 5 has a moderate <br />wildlife value. Wildlife species in the White River area include deer, elk, eagles, turkeys, coyotes, bobcats, <br />mountain lions, and numerous other species- This site is located near the White River riparian corridor. The <br />majority of wildlife species in these areas use these corridors for some aspect of their life cycle. Riparian areas <br />are the most fragile to disruption and offer the best habitat to a wide variety of animal species. They also contain <br />elk and deer wintering grounds, which are crucial for nourishment and cover throughout the winter. <br />The Division of Wildlife offers the following comments pertaining to the above project. <br />The location lies within "winter range" and "severe winter range" for mule deer and elk. "Severe winter <br />range" is classified as critical habitat. Combinations of deep snow, below zero temperatures, and crusting <br />snow all have impacts on big game survival. Heavy construction activities during the time period of <br />December 151 through April 15d' would negatively impact wintering mule deer and elk in this project area by <br />causing them to incur increased winter stress. Negative impacts to wintering mule deer and elk could be <br />minimized in this area by not working the pit during dawn and dusk. This would allow the deer and elk to <br />utilize the nearby river area during the times when they are most active. <br />Non-native weed species have become established on many disturbed soils throughout the White River/ <br />Piceance Creek area. The invasion of non-native weeds reduces the density of native vegetation and lessens <br />the habitat values for native wildlife species. Many of these non-native weeds are not used as forage by <br />wildlife. The continual control and removal of non-native weeds around the site will help restore native <br />vegetation that is valuable to wildlife. A detailed weed management plan is advised to combat weed <br />problems. <br />Travel management should be taken into consideration in the planning of development. Road kills and <br />indirect disturbance from noise both occur with increased traffic. Tnfornh workers of appropriate speed limits <br />an4 discourage travel during dative and dusk when'wildlife is most active. <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Robert Bray. Chair. Brad Coors. Vice Chair. Tim Glenn. Secretary <br />Members, Dennis Buechler • Jeffrey Crawford - Dorothea Farris • Roy MrAnally • Richard Ray . Robert Streeter <br />Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman and John Stulp