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f. : f <br />This area currently provides valuable habitat to many wildlife species and wildlife usage may decrease with <br />increased disturbance. During mining, impacts to wildlife can be reduced by allowing mature cottonwoods to <br />remain standing. This will maintain habitat as well as ensure bank stabilization and other positive benefits. <br />Minimizing night mining activities may benefit wildlife by enabling them to maintain use of the area as a <br />movement corridor or hunting grounds. <br />If heavy equipment is acquired that was previously working in another stream, river, lake, pond, or wetland within <br />10 days of working on this project, one of the following disinfection practices is necessary to prevent the spread <br />of New Zealand Mud Snails and other aquatic hitchhikers into this drainage. These practices are also necessary <br />after project completion, prior to this equipment being used in another stream, river, lake, pond, or wetland, for <br />the same purpose: <br />• Remove all mud and debris from equipment (tracks, turrets, buckets, drags, teeth, etc.) and the <br />equipment must be kept dry for 10 days OR <br />• Remove all mud and debris from equipment (tracks, turrets, buckets, drags, teeth, etc.) and <br />spray/soak equipment with a 1:1 solution of Formula 409 Household Cleaner and water. Keep <br />equipment moist for at least 10 minutes OR <br />• Remove all mud and debris from equipment (tracks, turrets, buckets, drags, teeth, etc.) and <br />spray/soak equipment with water greater than 130 degrees F for at least 10 minutes. <br />• Clean hand tools, boots, and any other equipment that will be used in the water using one of the <br />above options as well. <br />Once mining is complete, all ponds created by reclamation efforts could potentially have significant value to <br />wildlife. To maximize this benefit, the Division of Wildlife recommends that the pond be designed to include <br />irregular shorelines and one or more islands to provide cover, shelter, and nesting areas. Islands should be at least <br />15' x 25' in size per 2 surface acres of water. Shoreline and island slopes should be graded to a ratio of 4 <br />horizontal: to Ivertical distance, with some areas having slopes no steeper than 8 horizontal: to 1 vertical distance. <br />Such shallow areas will allow for establishment of a variety of types of aquatic vegetation and invertebrate prey <br />for waterfowl. <br />Planting a variety of native wetland plant species at appropriate locations will provide a diverse wetland habitat <br />that will have long term benefits to wildlife, public viewing, and increased aesthetic value. The lake bed itself <br />can be enhanced by varying the contours and structure. For example, the addition of downed trees and shrubs can, <br />provide habitat and cover to aquatic wildlife. <br />In areas surrounding ponds (or if no pond or wetland is planned), the Division of Wildlife encourages <br />revegetation with native riparian or prairie grasses including tall wheat grass, intermediate wheat grass, switch <br />grass. Trees and shrubs that should be considered in the revegetation effort are eastern red cedar, rocky mountain <br />juniper, native plum, and willow. <br />mcere <br />T Romatzke <br />Area Wildlife Man ger <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />cc: Ron Velarde <br />Frank McGee