Laserfiche WebLink
December 2, 2009 <br />Mr. Bill de Vergie <br />Division of Wildlife <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources <br />PO Box 1181 <br />Meeker, CO 81641 <br />RE: Response to Comment Letter dated Nov. 3, 2009 <br />Peroulis Brothers Snake River Pit, File No. M- 2009 -079 <br />Dear Mr. de Vergie: <br />P <br />cocpor'ation <br />n. planning > engineering ie- s —eying <br />The purpose of this letter is to provide responses to the comments you provided in your November 3rd, <br />2009 letter to Russ Means for the Peroulis Brothers Snake River Pit. The following are the responses: <br />Comment: Greater Sage Grouse — One of the greatest concerns in the areas of proposed Snake River <br />gravel pit is sage grouse.... <br />Response: We have discussed this concern in more detail with Brian Holmes from the Meeker <br />DOW office. Brian provided an email on November 23, 2009 with recommendations for proposed <br />mitigation to reduce impacts to the breeding activities associated with the two lek sites located near <br />the proposed pit area. The applicant agrees to comply with the request to not operate the gravel pit <br />from 4:00am to 9:00am during the time period from March 15` to May 15 ' The applicant also <br />agrees to provide additional noise mitigation. The operator will construct a small 4' tall berm <br />around the mining activity phase during the grouse nesting season (April- July). The berm will <br />remain in place until the mining is below grade. <br />Comment: Bald Eagles — There is an active bald eagle nest that is located approximately 0.75 miles <br />north of the proposed gravel pit... <br />Response: The operations for the gravel pit will not extend outside of the pit boundary. Therefore, <br />the applicant will comply with the requested buffer zones. <br />Comment: White - tailed Prairie Dog — The DOW also asks that the company doing the work notify them <br />if there is activity on a known White- tailed Prairie Dog colony in the area... <br />Response: The applicant will notify the DOW if white - tailed prairie dogs are found within the site. <br />Comment: Burrowing Owls — If burrowing owls are found at this location the DOW would like to <br />provide further comments to help in mitigation and help in the conservation of burrowing owls in the <br />area. <br />Response: The applicant will notify the DOW if burrowing owls are found within the site. <br />Comment: Non - native weed species — Non - native weed species have become established on many <br />disturbed soils throughout the area and are of concern... <br />Response: The applicant understands the importance of continual control and removal of non- <br />native weed species. The applicant will utilize concepts from the Moffat County Undesirable Plant <br />Management Plan to control non- native weed species and ensure restoration of native vegetatation. <br />Comment: The proposed gravel pit lies in an area where native vegetation provides foraging, nesting, and <br />cover habitats for numerous species of wildlife... <br />Corporate Headquarters <br />Northern Bureau <br />Wyoming <br />Northern Mountains <br />Denver West Office Park Building 4 <br />Downtown Greeley <br />Montgomery Building <br />Pentagon West Building <br />1536 Cole Boulevard, Suite 220 <br />71011th Avenue, Suite 105 <br />109 East 17� Street, Suite 1 <br />2740 Acre Lane, Suite 205 <br />Golden, Colorado 80401 <br />Greeley, Colorado 80631 <br />Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 <br />Steamboat Springs Colorado 80487 <br />Ph 303.940.9966 <br />Ph 970.353.7600 <br />Ph 307.635.1734 <br />Ph 970.879.1825 <br />Fax 303.940.9959 <br />Fax 970.353.7601 <br />Fax 866.242.9106 <br />Fax 866.242.9106 <br />