2008-04-15_REVISION - M1980244 (309)

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• drill holes within the volcanic diatreme tend to be dry or have low yields. There has been nominal ground water intercepted in Grassy Valley. 4.7 Wildlife CC&V contracted with Arcadis (formerly Greystone Environmental Consultants) to compile existing wildlife data from CC&V's files, wildlife inventories performed by Colorado Division of Wildlife ("CDOW"), a wildlife inventory performed by JBR Environmental Consultants in 1997, as well as information gathered in August and September 1999 by Greystone. In addition, Arcadis completed a site visit to verify the available wildlife information in June 2007. These data are summarized in this section with the complete report contained in Appendix 3 in Volume III of this document. The District has supported mining operations from the 1890s up to, and including, the present. Therefore, much of the area to be affected under the MLE has been occupied by previous mining operations, and parts of the previously-mined areas have been regraded and revegetated. The post-mining land use for Permit M-1980-244 has been established, and approved, as wildlife habitat and livestock grazing. This post-mining land use also is consistent with Teller County land use plans. Revegetation and general reclamation has • been conducted to create useful and contributing land for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Typical wildlife species observed to be present, showing sign such as scat, or known to exist in the habitat present are listed in Appendix 3 in Volume III of this document. Typical species include Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, black bear, blue grouse, red- tailed hawk, gray jay, raven, great horned owl, magpie, flicker, downy woodpecker, garter snake, coyote, red fox, raccoon, skunk, mountain lion, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, meadow vole, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, and deer mouse. Wildlife usage has been considered to be minimal due to the limited quantity and quality of vegetation in the District. However, the reclamation activities, which have created large open grassed spaces interspersed with tree-covered slopes, have led to an increase in deer and elk usage. Areas peripheral to the active mining operations and undisturbed and reclaimed sites between the active mining areas provide wildlife habitat where vegetation is prevalent. In addition, since public hunting is not allowed on the private property of the project area, the permit area provides a refuge from hunting pressures on surrounding lands. Employee hunting is allowed, but closely controlled to limit the • overall number of hunters on the property. Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company Cresson Project Mine Life Extension 4-16