2006-09-18_PERMIT FILE - M2006070

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BIRDS-OF-PREY SURVEY FOR THE PROPOSED DERR GRAVEL MINE PROJECT WELD COUNTY, COLORADO INTRODUCTION This report outlines the methods and results of a survey conducted to determine the presence of any birds-of-prey at a gravel mine project area east of Greeley, Colorado at the Derr Property along Balsam Avenue in Weld County. Weld County proposes to mine aggregate materials from the Derr Property. Diversified Consulting Solutions, Inc. (dcs) and its team are preparing the baseline documents for this project, including the environmental and biological reports and permits. Weld County has signed an agreement with the Derrs to lease the mineral rights to a portion of the aggregate available on this property. This survey was conducted to comply with the Migratory Bird Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, which provides for protection of many species including birds-of-prey. PROJECT LOCATION This site is located on the east side. of Greeley, Colorado and lies on the east side of Balsam Avenue north of Eighth Street or Highway 263. The project area lies in the middle of Section 4 at the southwest '/aof the northeast 1/y Township ,.5 North, Range 65 West. The longitude is 104 degrees, 40 minutes, 6 seconds and the latitude is 40 degrees, 25 minutes, 44 seconds. The NAD 27 UTM coordinates are Lone 13, Easting 528178 and Northing 4475206. The WGS 84 (NAD 83) UTM coordinates for the site are Zone 13, Easting 5281.33 and Northing 4475414. The elevation of the project area is approximately 4,630 feet above sea level. Figure 1. presents a vicinity map of the project area. Figure 2 presents the project area within the Greeley, Colorado USGS quadrangle map. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Weld County proposes to mine gravel and other aggregate materials from this site in order to supply the Public Works Department with materials for road base maintenance and road construction across the County. The project area is surrounded by agricultural, mining, rural residential, and ranchlands. The Cache La Poudre River lies approximately one-half mile to the south of the property. The Poudre River is a perennial tributary flowing to the South Platte River. A pond and an irrigation ditch lie on the site with several large ponds to the south of the southwest corner of the project area. The upland areas on-site consist of weedy and disturbed communities because the landowner perpetually excavates and grades the surficial soils, but a short-grass prairie remnant is present along the eastern edge of the property. An outlot home site at the northeast corner of the property is surrounded with plains cottonwood and Chinese elm. Mature trees also occur at the southwest border of the property and along a bluff base at