2008-10-16_PERMIT FILE - M2008070

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'r v l STATE OF COLORADO c°?R'4Oo Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES sf tiq DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER o?V OF Thomas E. Remington, Director 6060 Broadway For Wildlife- Denver, Colorado 80216 For People Telephone: (30397-1192 wildlife. state. cows Jeff Madison Natural Resources Specialist Rio Blanco County Planning and Development August 15'h, 2008 RE: Western Gravel, LLLC. Gravel Pit Mr. Madison, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Western Gravel's proposed gravel pit site. The Colorado Division of Wildlife believes that the site near Rio Blanco Lake has a high wildlife value. Wildlife species in the White River area include deer, elk, eagles, turkeys, bears, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and numerous other species. This site is located near a major riparian corridor. The majority of wildlife species in these areas use these corridors 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. They also contain elk and deer wintering grounds, which are crucial for nourishment and cover throughout the winter. The Division of Wildlife offers the following comments pertaining to the above project: The project area lies within an area identified as winter range, severe winter range, and winter concentration area for mule deer. Severe winter range is classified as critical habitat. Combinations of deep snow, below zero temperatures, and crusting snow all have impacts on big game survival. Construction activities during the time period of December l"'through April 15`h would negatively impact wintering mule deer in this project area by causing them to incur increased winter stress. Negative impacts to wintering mule deer could be minimized in this area by avoiding construction activities as much as possible during this sensitive time period. The project area also lies within the winter range and winter concentration area for elk. As with mule deer construction activities from December I" through April 15'h would have a negative impact on the elk. Non-native weed species have become established on many disturbed soils throughout the White River/ Piceance Creek 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 around the site will help restore native vegetation that is valuable to wildlife. A detailed weed management plan is advised to combat weed problems. The project area is extremely close to a vital portion of the White River riparian corridor. The Division recommends a comprehensive. storm water management plan to minimize the effects on this area from the project. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hams D. Sherman, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Robert Bray, Chair • Brad Coors, Vice Chair • Tim Glenn, Secretary Members, Dennis Buechler • Jeffrey Crawford • Dorothea Farris • Roy McAnally • Richard Ray • Robert Streeter Ex Officio Members, Hams Sherman and John Stulp