2010-01-27_PERMIT FILE - M2009086 (2)

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?f'kA STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF IVISIONAOF RWILDLIFE D AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thomas E. Remington, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 wildlife. state. co. us Hot Sulphur Springs Area Office P.O. Box 216 346 County Road 362 Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451 Telephone: (970) 725-6200 Fax: (970) 725-6217 Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Grand County Planning RECEIVED ZJAN 272010 Division of RGclamdon, Mining & Oaf* January 22, 2010 OF? For Wildlife- For People RE: Flintstone Gravel & Trucking, Inc., Pickering Family Pit, File No M-2009-086 Thank you for the opportunity to commen on the proposed gravel pit application. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has had the opportunity to visit and review the Pickering Family Pit site. The CDOW has discussed this permit with the applicant, provided verbal comment at previous Grand County planning commission meetings, and has submitted written comment to the Grand County planning commission in regards to the wildlife impacts of this permit. The CDOW has also commented on several other gravel pit applications that identified similar wildlife concerns in this area. The mission of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is to protect, preserve, enhance, and manage wildlife and their environment for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of Colorado and its visitors. One of the ways we achieve our mission is to comment on land use proposals such as the request we received from your agency. Our goal is to provide complete, consistent, and timely information to all entities who request comment on matters within our statutory authority and our mission. Wildlife and Habitat The most significant impact that wildlife may incur is the disturbance and displacement of wintering big game, primarily elk. Several separate groups of elk utilize this area with as many as 200+ in any group. These elk primarily utilize the adjacent agriculture and other private lands. Disturbance of elk during times when they are dependent upon winter range will likely increase conflicts with the adjacent agriculture properties and increase mortality. Additionally, these habitats near Granby are mapped as a limited portion of critical winter range. It should be noted that winter range in this portion of Grand DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James B. Martin, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Brad Coors, Chair • Tim Glenn, Vice Chair. Dennis Buechler, Secretary Members, Jeffrey Crawford • Dorothea Farris • Roy McAnally • John Singletary • Mario Smith • Robert Streeter Ex Officio Members, James B. Martin and John Stulp