2010-03-29_PERMIT FILE - M2010009

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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thomas E. Remington, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 wildlife. state. co. us March 26, 2010 Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety Attn: Michael A Cunningham, Environmental Protection Specialist 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 MAR 2 9 2010 GOF Div ision ui rtmcla?rnaMon, Mining and Safety For Wildlife- For People Re: Washington County Road and Bridge District 2, Colorado State Land Board Pit, File Number M-2010-009 Dear Mr. Cunningham, The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed sand and gravel pit in Washington County. The Colorado Board of Land Commissioners and Washington County Road and Bridge have received letters from the CDOW in 2009 when this permit was initially requested. There are no endangered or threatened species utilizing the property. There is another open pit gravel mine across the county road to the north of the property. Mineral development on this property would be a large change from the current land use practices. The property in question is a relatively undisturbed dry creek bottom that holds a high wildlife habitat value. There are wheat fields surrounding the property providing a food source for many wildlife species. If the permit is approved, the Division of Wildlife suggests that all development occur after July 15 and before March 15 due to the presence of an active Northern Harrier nest on the property. Northern Harriers are a ground nesting raptor and are federally protected. This time frame would also protect the nests of other ground nesting birds using the property. Once the county is finished with the gravel/sand pit, the CDOW recommends-that the property be restored to its pre- development state. This would include rebuilding the natural contours of the dry creek bottom and reseeding with a certified weed free native grass mix. If soil is brought in to accomplish this task, it should come from a certified weed free provider. If the Division has any questions, please feel free to contact District Wildlife Manager Devon Young at (970) 842-2306. Sincerel J Tom Kroening Area Wildlife Manager Cc: S. Yamashita, K. Green, D. Young DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James B. Martin, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tim Glenn, Chair • Robert Streeter, Vice Chair • Mark Smith, Secretary Members, David R. Brougham . Dennis Buechler* Dorothea Farris • Allan Jones • John Singletary • Dean Wingfield Ex Officio Members, James B. Martin and John Stulp