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WILDLIFE INFORMATION EXHIBIT H <br />The operation is expected to have minimal impact on wildlife during the course of operations. <br />The existing pit has been worked for a number of years therefore much of the disturbance which <br />could occur probably already has happened. Mining has the effect of immediately displacing <br />animals inhabiting the area to be disturbed and also the animals using the area for foraging and <br />hunting. With the areas around the gravel pit available for the animals, little impact should occur <br />to the existing wildlife. Also, as new areas are mined, older areas will be reclaimed, as described <br />in the mining plan. <br />The elements of the potential wildlife habitat are rated on a basis according to the amount of <br />vegetation that is available to wildlife as food and cover. The kind and abundance of wildlife <br />that populate an area depend largely on the amount and distribution of food, cover and water. If <br />any one of these elements is missing, inadequate, or inaccessible, wildlife becomes scarce or <br />does not inhabit the area. The area adjacent to the existing pit is and has been used for cattle <br />grazing but does produce food, cover and some nesting areas that are primarily attractive to <br />rodents and ground-dwelling birds, and the predators that feed on these animals. Nearby wooded <br />areas provide an abundance of cover and nesting areas. The fact that the pre-mine use was <br />rangeland that will primarily be converted to irrigated pasture, forage will increase, which will <br />aid the use of the land by mule deer and elk. <br />Cugnini Pit, November 2009 H-1