2009-10-16_PERMIT FILE - M2009082 (15)

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Queen of the River Consultants, Inc. 1.?`;I1? \. I I' `li?i .. ? ? u:.u, I. .. ?ii`,I;_. I'i',i ??c •i ?.. I I ? h. _: _ May 11, 2007 40? Peter Plage US Fish & Wildlife Service, Colorado State Office PO Box 23486, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 Dear Peter: At the request of Eric Reckintine, LaFarge - North America, (1800 N. Taft Hill Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80521), I was asked to review habitat suitability for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) on a proposed gravel mining operation near Greeley, Colorado. The owners plan to apply for a Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 112 mining permit on this 360 acre parcel at the intersection of CR 64.5 and CR 25 in Weld County (Attachment 1 - Project Vicinity Map). This survey was conducted on May 1, 2007 on the Parsons property (Sec 30,31 of T6N, R66W, Sec 25,36 of T6N, R67W, Bracewell, Colorado Quandrangle) along the Poudre River from 4718 to 4716 feet in elevation. UTM coordinates range from 13T 0513410E, 447703ON on the upper end of the river to 0514680E, 4477320N on the lower end of the river. This survey covers the area outlined in the attached map (Attachment 2 - Project Map). This site is within potential occupied range: (USF&WS, Interim Survey Requirements for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse). • The site is located in Weld County below 7400' elevation. • Property is in the 100 year flood plain of the Cache Poudre River. • A small wetland and gravel ponds are present on the property. However, the site is marginal Preble's habitat for the following reasons: • This site is a highly disturbed site. The Poudre River is deeply entrenched, heavily rip- rapped and sparsely vegetated (See attached photos). • Disturbances have also been caused by firming practices and heavy grazing practices on this site. • The shrub component that could provide cover and hibermaculum for PMJM is very sparce along the river. Due to channelization, past and current grazing management, the riparian zone is narrow and is dominated by upland grasses and a narrow band of Plains Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). • Presence/absence surveys have been conducted in the vicinity of this property with no captures of PMJM. (Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Biodiversity racking and Conservalion System, 3/24/07, Attachment 3). No impacts are expected to result from the proposed project because a 200' buffer will protect the m er corridor and existing wetlands from any mining activities. Photos of the site are attached to this report Attachment 4. The Survey Field Data Compilation Form is located in Attachment 5. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, Brenda Mitchell Senior Biologist cc: Eric Reckentine, LaFarge Pam Hora_ Tetra Tech RMC