2010-11-12_PERMIT FILE - C1981010A (10)

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and reclamation are complete, the area will still only support a given number of rabbits. This population will establish itself relatively quickly within normal population cycles as long as any breeding populations exist on or near the affected areas. The 20 rabbits "saved" per year will not be evident in future populations. This same concept applies to all species of wildlife with varying degrees of time factors depending on the fecundity of the species and existence of a breeding population. All of the species that may be impacted are relatively prolific and have ample breeding populations. The most. significant effects to wildlife are brought about by increased human activity in the area. These effects may be the most damaging because of their unknown duration and intensity. Northwest Colorado has experienced, and is expected to continue experiencing rapid growth related to coal and oil shale development. This growth is inherently accompanied by increased human activity including residential development, increased recreational use of all lands and increased vehicular traffic. To the extent that Trapper Mine contributes to this growth, it also contributes to the subsequent impacts on wildlife. It should be noted however, that Trapper Mine is an existing project which reached full pro- duction in 1979 and is therefore unlikely to make any further incremental contri- bution to growth in the area. The following discussions in this section deal specifically with species deter- mined to be important as described in Section 2.4. While mitigative measures may not be specifically directed towards small or medium sized mammals and songbirds, these animals will also benefit from the implementation of such measures. The mitigation program is intended to enhance the value of the area and shorten and reduce the impacts of mining for economically important species (game ani- mals) and critical species, i.e. raptors. The effectiveness of most mitigative measures will be short lived. The only mitigation that will be permanent is suc- cessful revegetation. Revegetation with appropriate plant species is essential to maintain and enhance wildlife use of the mine plan area and adjacent areas and is the most important facet of wildlife mitigation. Therefore, the primary and overriding objective of all mitigation and land management practices will be to 4-148