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

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Nest Site: No surface occupancy (beyond that which historically occurred in the area within '/4 mile radius of active nests. Create seasonal restrictions to human encroachment within '/z mile radius of active nests from October 15 through July 31. This closure is more extensive than the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines (USFWS 2007) due to the generally open habitat used by Colorado's nesting bald eagles. Winter Night Roost: No human encroachment from November 15 through March 15 within '/4 mile radius of an active winter night roost if there is no direct line of sight between the roost and the encroachment activities. No human encroachment from November 15 through March 15 within '/2 mile radius of an active winter night roost if there is a direct line of sight between the roost and the encroachment activities. If periodic visits (such as maintenance work) are required within the buffer zone after development, activity should be restricted to the period between 1000 and 1400 hours from November 15 to March 15. Hunting Perch: Diurnal hunting perches associated with important foraging areas should also be protected from human encroachment. Preferred perches may be at varying distances from human encroachment and buffer areas will vary. The Division of Wildlife also asks that the company doing the work notify them if there is activity on a known White-tailed Prairie Dog colony in the area that has previously been active in the past. The prairie dog colony is south of the proposed side less than 0.25 miles. There are white tailed prairie dogs in the area of the proposed site. This could be important for burrowing owls that might be in the area. The Division of Wildlife also asks that the company doing the work notify them if there is any activity by burrowing owls at the proposed site. These are the wildlife concerns at the proposed. If burrowing owls are found at this location the DOW would like to provide further comments to help in mitigation and help in the conservation of burrowing owls in the area. Non-native weed species have become established on many disturbed soils throughout the area and are of concern. The invasion of non-native weeds reduces the density of native vegetation and lessens the habitat values for native wildlife species. Many of these non-native weeds are not used as forage by wildlife. The continual control and removal of non-native weeds on the disturbed/rehabilitated sites will help restore native vegetation that is valuable to wildlife. The proposed gravel pit lies in an area where native vegetation provides foraging, nesting, and cover habitats for numerous species of wildlife. The removal and disturbance of native vegetation for the construction of the above gravel pit and associated roads will negatively impact the native wildlife species associated with this project area. Upon rehabilitation of gravel pit, negative impacts to native wildlife can be offset by planting a suitable mixture of native grass/forb/shrub seed. Seed plantings on disturbed soils will have greater germination and survival rates when the soil surface has been prepared to hold moisture and runoff precipitation. Soils will exhibit increased moisture retention capabilities when the soil surface has been loosened with a "ripping tool" that creates a rough and uneven soil surface and seed bed. This treatment will increase seed germination; and, will reduce the amount of surface runoff and soil erosion. Rehabilitation on disturbed areas should be done as soon as possible. Drilling in seed also increases the probability of successful reclamation. The major concern with the soil disturbance is the further spread of non-native weed species. Increased travel on roads in the area also has a detrimental impact on wildlife. Road kills are a direct impact and traffic noise indirectly impacts wildlife. Limiting high traffic near dusk and dawn will help reduce impacts on wildlife. The majority of wildlife is active during these time periods. If the reclaimed area is converted into a pond at the site, create a shoreline mosaic of shallow areas with wetland vegetation such as cattails and rushes to benefit waterfowl and other wildlife.