2009-02-13_PERMIT FILE - X200923100 (2)

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Division of Wildlife. Once it has been determined that severe winter conditions exist, the BLM authorized officer will notify the licensee that no new drilling starts will be allowed and all on-going operations will cease no later than 5 days from the date of notification Drilling will be allowed to resume at such time when BLM and CDOW determine that conditions have moderated to the point where big game are no longer in danger. 7. To protect critical elk calving areas, no activity will be allowed from April 16 to June 30. This restriction may be waived by the Authorized Officer if requested by the Lessee and further investigation determines that calving habitat will not be impacted. 8. Operations will not be allowed in or within 1/4 mile (line of site) of an aspen stand except during the period between August 16 and January 31. A field inspection for raptor nests may be conducted prior to commencement of operations on those sites. If the nests are determined to be inactive, this stipulation may be waived. 9. To protect breeding and nesting greater sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse, no Surface disturbance will be allowed to occur between March 1 and June 30. In November of 2008, retired Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) researcher Rick Hoffman evaluated the drill sites to determine potential impacts to Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse. He determined that drill sites CCU38, CCU39, CCU43, CCU44, CCU46, and CCU48 are within suitable nesting habitat for grouse. The CDOW has reviewed Mr. Hoffman's recommendations. Upon reviewing Mr. Hoffman's recommendations CDOW provided CCR a letter of recommended protections necessary to protect grouse in the project area. In this letter, CDOW concurred that drilling may occur within the traditional NSO buffers for lek sites without impacts to the leks or breeding birds. The Colorado Division of Wildlife does feel that timing restrictions should be placed on drilling activities at these locations. No surface disturbing activities should occur between March 1 and June 30 in order to protect nesting grouse. The CDOW letter to CCR is on file in the BLM's Little Snake Field Office. 10. In order to avoid degradation of potential riparian conditions or water sources, no surface disturbance will be allowed within 200 feet of an active stream channel supporting riparian vegetation, springs, ponds, or reservoirs. 11. During periods of adverse conditions such as thawing, heavy rains, snow, or flooding, all activities off existing maintained roads that result in surface rutting in excess of 4 inches will be suspended. Restoration of excessive ruts that occur will be required. 12. No water shall be removed from BLM allotment reservoirs without approval of the Field Manager. 13. Control of noxious weeds will be required through successful vegetation establishment and/or herbicide application. If applications of herbicide are prescribed, however, it is the responsibility of the lease operator to insure compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations, as well as labeling directions specific to the use of any given herbicide. A Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) will be approved prior to application of herbicides and/or other pesticides on Federal surface; contact the Little Snake Resource Field office to obtain a PUP form to request this authorization. Submit the PUP 2 months in advance