2008-11-20_PERMIT FILE - M2008078 (8)

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A, Ecological Resource Consultants, Inc. 5672 Juhls Drive-Boulder, Colorado-80301-720.564.0788 MEMO To: J & T Consulting, Inc. From: David Blauch, Senior Ecologist Kristin Sundberg, Ecologist Date: November 2, 2007 RE: Wildlife Memo Lamar Gravel Property Prowers County, Colorado The following provides an overview of general wildlife habitat and potential wildlife utilization of the Study Area located in Prowers County, Colorado. General Site Description The Study Area is approximately 300 acres and has an average elevation of 3,618 feet above mean sea level. The Study Area contains undeveloped agricultural land and is essentially flat. The Study Area consists of both active and fallow agricultural land and an associated series of irrigation ditches and access roads. An unnamed ditch flows west to east, bisecting the Study Area. The Arkansas River corridor is located north of the Study Area. The corridor runs east west and is approximately 800 feet from the Study Area at its closest point. Ongoing agricultural use of the Study Area has limited the development of any significant vegetative communities. Wildlife Habitat Wildlife can utilize the general landscape in a multitude of ways. Wildlife can use specific habitats as areas of permanent inhabitance, seasonal inhabitance, breeding grounds, migratory routes, for foraging purposes or as a temporary shelter. The Arkansas River corridor and the Town of Lamar sewage lagoons, both located north of the Study Area, provide the only uninterrupted wildlife movement corridor in the vicinity of the Study Area. However at its closest point, the Arkansas River corridor is approximately 800 feet north of the Study Area. The presence of the adjacent riparian fringe and a constant water source creates a relatively unique habitat in an otherwise dry agricultural landscape. Historic land use practices have limited the development of natural vegetation communities on the Study Area. The effect of these practices limits the overall quality of potential wildlife habitat. Wildlife Habitat Usage The Study Area is composed of actively cultivated agricultural land, resulting in a frequently changing landscape. Degraded agricultural land is not typically considered to be of high ecological value to wildlife, but this type of habitat does have beneficial values to certain species. These lands can provide foraging and hunting grounds, refuge, nesting and provide general "open space". 32