2009-11-09_PERMIT FILE - M2009079 (2)

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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES i! DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thomas E. Remington, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 wildlife. state. co. us 3 November 2009 G. Russell Means, Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 ? QeQ co Je.?, 009 CT ?Np?1 O9?eG1000 q O?09 ardeC`! rp?, OF For Wildlife- For People RE: Precision Excavating, Inc. Peroulis Brothers Snake River Pit File No. M-2009-079 T/' To Mr. Means: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Snake River Gravel Pit located in Moffat County Colorado. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) understands that a new gravel pit will be put in at Township 11 North, Range 95 West, SE'/4 of section 30. The DOW understands that the proposed gravel pit will be approximately 101 acres in size and will be a dry pit. The DOW believes that the habitat within the development area has wildlife value. Wildlife species in the area include deer, pronghorn, eagles, hawks, coyotes, sage grouse, white tailed prairie dogs and other species. The proposed area is important for sage grouse and eagles that may be using the area throughout the year. Greater Sage Grouse: One of the greatest concerns in the areas of proposed Snake River gravel pit is sage grouse. Sage grouse habitats along with active and historic leks and nesting areas are located throughout Moffat County including areas near the proposed gravel pit. In particular an active lek site lies approximately 0.5 miles from the proposed gravel pit. There is also another lek that is approximately 1 mile from the proposed site. The CDOW recommend no surface occupancy or facilities within 1/4 mile of sage grouse leks. We also recommend no activity from March 15- July 15 within 4 miles of leks. This time period is when breeding and courtship activities occur. Reproduction is the first step in recruitment of grouse into the population. • Bald Eagles: There is an active bald eagle nest that is located approximately 0.75 miles north of the proposed gravel pit. The bald eagle nest site is located at Township 11N, Range 95 W, SW '/4 of Section 19. The nest site is along the Little Snake River. Here are some basic management practices that the DOW would ask that you consider and implement. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hams D. Sherman, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Brad Coors, Chair • Tim Glenn, Vice Chair. Dennis Buechler, Secretary Members, Jeffrey Crawford • Dorothea Farris • Roy McAnally • John Singletary • Mark Smith • Robert Streeter Ex Officio Members, Hams Sherman and John Stulp