2008-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (5)

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RULE 2 PERMITS selecting reclaimed mine lands, reseeded Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) croplands etc. as an important, if not essential, component of the winter range needed for the expanding elk population in northwest Colorado. It is important that the reader be aware that many traditional concepts regarding elk are becoming outdated as elk populations change their habits in response to increased hunting pressures, increased elk populations and improvements on winter ranges. Because deer, unlike elk, do not concentrate in certain areas to bear their young, no key deer fawning areas are known to exist; however, the large number of does with fawns commonly observed throughout the early summer in or near dense stands of oak and service berry indicates there is high usage by the does of these areas. In addition, most doe and fawn observations are made near water ponds located on the site, along Taylor Creek and near the springs in upper Streeter Draw, because the does do not like to move considerable distances to water when the fawns are very young. From this observation, it appears that those areas of good cover within one-fourth to one-half mile of water are key areas for fawning. Data collected from 1974 to 1977 indicated that browse use by deer, elk and cattle, both past and present, was excessive. This was evidenced by the "hedged" and "decadent" condition of the majority of the browse found in the study area. All browse species (e.g., oak, serviceberry, sage, rabbitbrush, snowberry, and bitterbrush) showed signs of over-utilization. The net result of the past browse use was a reduction in annual growth with less available palatable forage. In addition, species such as oak and serviceberry have grown taller, with palatable growth limited to those portions of the shrubs that are out of reach to all but the largest elk. In some instances, even the larger elk are unable to reach the growth. As the oak and serviceberry have grown taller, they have created large windbreaks. In the winter these dense areas of cover hold the snow, which becomes deep enough to limit all access by deer and elk. The serviceberry-snowberry transects showed low use for both 1974-1975 and 1975-1976. The snowberry bushes which were completely covered by deep snows showed no use. The use of the serviceberry has been limited to bushes near the edges of the stands where less snow buildup occurs. During the winter of 1975-1976, deer use of some areas changed from the winter of 1974-1975. The big sage transect showed a higher use in 1975-1976. The snow cover was much lower in 1975-1976 and 1976-1977 than in 1974-1975, and a result the deer were better able to utilize the big sage. Data from the extensive transects which were biased towards key areas of use, show that the areas to the south and east of the mine are key forage areas for the deer in the winter. These are primarily large expanses of south and east-facing sagebrush-covered slopes where there is less snow cover throughout the winter. Traditionally, the most extensive use on the site has been during the summer and fall months by cattle, deer, and elk. Over-grazing at times by cattle in conjunction with high numbers of deer and elk have resulted in reduced carrying capacity and a general decline in the condition of the range over several years. The reduced carrying capacity resulting from the overuse of the range created an increase of pressure on the more healthy plants. Certain more desirable species, such as bitterbrush, were overutilized throughout the year and offered little or no forage during the critical winter months. In most instances, 8 to 10 inches of snow totally covered the plants. Rule 2 Permits 2.04.11-4 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91