2010-07-01_PERMIT FILE - M2010024

• Permit No: M2010024
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 7/1/2010
• Doc Name: Comments
• From: Division of Wildlife
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: THM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

M 1:
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: [phone]
wildlife. state. co. us
25 June 2010
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
ATTN: Travis H. Marshall
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
RECEIVED
JUL 01 2010
Division of Reclamation,
Mining & Safety
V
RE: Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge, Spring Creek Gravel Pit, File No. M-2010-024
To Mr. Travis Marshall:
L°v°?Oo
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For Wildlife-
For People

1"1/
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Spring creek Gravel Pitt to be operated by Rio Blanco
County. The proposed site is located 8.5 miles east of Rangely in Section 31, Township 2N, Range 100W, of Rio
Blanco County. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has reviewed this: application and would like to
provide the following comments.
The CDOW believes that the habitat within the development area has a high wildlife value. Wildlife species in the
area include deer, elk, eagles, coyotes, bobcats, and numerous other species. Specifically; the area of proposed
gravel pit lies within an area of identified mule deer critical winter range. , .
Potential impacts to wildlife from this proposal could include habitat fragmentation, disruption to migration and
habitat connection corridors, as well as diminished value to the beneficial buffer zone this property provides.
During the mining operation as well as once the site is reclaimed, consideration should be given to minimizing
impacts to wildlife through sound operational procedures and reclamation that enhances the opportunity for
wildlife.
Non-native weed species have become established on many disturbed soils throughout the area. 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 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.
,?. ;f The MOW h% s also reviewed the surface'iis'e agr eement that is in place between the W bite River Field •'Offce of
the Bureau of Land Management? and -Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge. T66TOOW agrees and affir fi§ 41 e
stipulation of only allowing operational activity between the months of May to October will benefit mule deer that
utilize tlie,'area during the winter months. CDOW also affirms that the agreement for the County to gate access to
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Mike King, 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, Mike King and John Stulp