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STATE OF COLORADO
<br />Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
<br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
<br />r?N EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
<br />Thomas E. Remington, Director
<br />6060 Broadway
<br />Denver, Colorado 80216
<br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192
<br />wildlife. state. co. us
<br />October 7, 2008
<br />Ms. Angela M. Bellantoni
<br />Envirotunental Alternatives Inc.
<br />1107 Main Street
<br />Canon City, CO. 81212
<br />Re: Abandoned Mine Section 26, TI7s, R68w
<br />Dear Ms. Bellantoni
<br />?F
<br />??°?' For Wildlife-
<br />For People
<br />
<br />Officer Bob Carochi has looked at the proposal for the abandoned mine. The Colorado Division of Wildlife would offer the
<br />following for consideration:
<br />No known threatened or endangered species inhabit the site. The abandoned mine site is occupied by Pinion Juniper and
<br />native short grass prairie plant species. Passerine bird species typical of this habitat type in the region are: species of
<br />sparrows, finches, wrens, swallows, humming birds, meadow larks, doves, scaled quail, ravens, crows, and Black-billed
<br />Magpie. Birds of prey such as, Red-tailed hawks, Swainson's hawks, Nighthawks, Kestrels, and owls are also common to this
<br />area. Reptiles of the area include the short-horned lizards, triploid checkered whiptail lizards, six lined race runner lizards,
<br />racer snakes, western hognose snakes, milk snakes, coachwhips, bull snakes, garter snakes, and the western rattle snake.
<br />Mammals of the area include Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, Black bear, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, cotton-tailed rabbits,
<br />jackrabbits, bats, pocket mice and other small rodent species. While some species in these lists may be migratory or only on
<br />the property intermittently other species are currently present on the proposed site.
<br />The reopening of mining operations at this site will have minimal impact to the wildlife in the area provided reclamation is
<br />completed in a thoughtful manor.
<br />Reclamation should follow plant species and guidelines set forth by the N.R.C.S. In addition to those species that are
<br />recommended by N.R.C.S., we would suggest using a shrub component that would increase plant diversity and make the site
<br />more attractive to such species as Scaled Quail, and Mule Deer. Mountain Mahogany and Cholla Cactus would be
<br />appropriate, as would other species of similar type.
<br />Replacement of the current tree cover in the area would also help to maintain and/or increase the diversity of the site once
<br />mining has concluded.
<br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project
<br />Sincerely,
<br />/Atela es L. on
<br />Wildlife Manager
<br />Salida Service Center
<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director
<br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Robert Bray, Chair • Brad Coors, Vice Chair • Tim Glenn, Secretary
<br />Members, Dennis Buechler • Jeffrey Crawford • Dorothea Farris • Roy McAnally • Richard Roy • Robert Streeter
<br />Ex Officio Members, Hams Sherman and John Stulp
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