2010-04-23_PERMIT FILE - M2010004

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, 16 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 SCANNED RECEIVED MAR 2 4 2010 Division of Reclamation, For Wildlife- Mining & Safety For People MINED LAND WILDLIFE STATEMENT/ EVALUATION (Revised) For limited impact and select regular mine applications The following information pertaining to wildlife is provided for use by the Huerfano County Dept. of Planning and Zoning and the Mined Land Reclamation Board in their consideration of a conditional use permit for: Leone Huerfano Gravel Pit, File No. M-2010-004 Wildlife Species List: White-tailed deer, Mule deer, Elk, Antelope, Merriam and/or Rio Grande Turkey, Black Bear, Bobcat, Coyote, Mountain Lion, Songbird species, Raptor species, Reptile species, etc.... Endangered /Critical Species / Impacted: Limited use of the mature cottonwood stands by bald eagles during the winter months. Critical Habitats / Vegetative Communities Impacted: Wintering deer and elk habitats as well as deer production areas / Cottonwood dominated riparian area with some encroaching pinion and junipers. Good diversity of native grassland species present as well. Assessment of Impact: The proposed plan is for a mid-long term operation on approximately 186 acres. The plan states that the operation could impact the land in approximately 9-23 acre increments for 20 to 25 years. Wildlife populations and habitat conditions could change in varying degrees over this long period of time. It is therefore recommended that the plan be reviewed and the site be re-evaluated on a five year interval. It is the opinion of the Division of Wildlife that no significant impacts to wildlife will be implicated by this project. The total size of the project area is not necessarily a large tract of property on the landscape scale. By breaking up the mining activities into smaller tracts as described (exhibit "C" mining plan. map), this will create on opportunity for any displaced wildlife to seek out the other nearby areas for whatever use is needed. It is recommended that once the mining activities are completed on one tract and moved to another that reclamation be initiated immediately. Of growing concern to the Division of Wildlife is the potential for the encroachment of noxious weeds to any disturbed area like this proposed gravel pit. It is the recommendation of the DOW that the disturbed area be routinely and closely monitored for the detection of any noxious weeds. This would include tamarisk which is known to be in the proposed drainage. An eradication plan should be in place to control any noxious weed growth: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James B. Martin, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tim Glenn, Chair ® Robert Streeter, Vice Chair a Mark Smith, Secretary Members, David R. Brougham • Dennis Buechler e Dorothea Farris e Allan Jones s John Singletary v Dean Wingfield Ex Officio Members, James B. Martin and John Stulp