2010-12-17_REVISION - C1981019 (108)

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RULE 2 PERMITS • 2.05.6 (2) Fish and Wildlife Plan Prior to and during the early years of mining, Colowyo implemented wildlife management and range management programs to offset the potential impacts of mining on wildlife and to improve the rangeland in surrounding areas which had deteriorated after years of overgrazing. Other protection measures were also implemented to minimize any possible effects of the increased mining activity. Also, during the early stages of pre - planning for the mining operation, Colowyo adopted a policy to return the land to a condition capable of supporting the diverse wildlife populations that the area currently supports. The assumption in the late 1970s was that shrub reestablishment would play a key role in wildlife habitat mitigation. These early efforts were unique in that revegetation with shrub species, especially native shrub species, had never been an integral part of pre -mine planning in the West. Virtually no information was available and very little was known about the growth requirements of native species. To reach these early objectives, Colowyo implemented revegetation and wildlife habitat use studies designed to determine the feasibility and techniques of revegetating disturbed areas with native shrub vegetation adapted to northwest Colorado. However, after decades of experience, it has become obvious that reestablishment of shrubs on the reclaimed area is not critical to encourage wildlife use such as by elk, deer and proghorn. For example, in recent years it has been observed that elk herds of between 200 and 400 animals utilize the reclaimed grasslands of the mine as foraging habitat. These numbers increase to between 2000 and 4000 animals during the hunting season and then slowly drop off as the snow depths increase and the elk herds migrate to lower elevations. The animals return in the Spring for the early green -up. This occurs for at least three reasons: 1) elk are primarily grazers (grass consumers) by nature, 2) there is abundant, high quality grass on the reclaimed areas especially in comparison to surrounding country which exhibits very little if any grassland acreage and relatively low grass production in shrublands, and 3) elk have learned that harassments (such as hunting) are minimized on mining areas (refuge effect) which allows them to forage in relative peace. Likewise, mule deer populations have been observed on reclaimed grasslands at elevated densities (40 -60 animals on a daily basis during the Spring, Summer, and Fall periods). Similarly, 15 -20 pronghorn utilize the reclamation on a daily basis during the Spring and early Summer periods. Following the winter, it has been observed in early spring that forage utilization on the reclamation often ranges between 70 and 90 percent, especially near water sources. In fact, utilization is often so elevated that both elk and mule deer turn to the few unfenced shrubs that have been established about the reclaimed area and cause extensive hedging damage. Over the years it has been observed that such hedging eventually leads to the death of most of these over - utilized shrubs. Because of the dependence on these areas, and the shrub populations, efforts by Colowyo have continued to improve reclamation techniques. New and significant strides are being taken to re- establish sagebrush steppe communities as well as grassland areas. Many of these new measures will benefit not only the large game animal segment of the wildlife community, but also other components such as sage grouse and sharp- tailed grouse populations that are dependent on sagebrush and other woody species for forage and cover. At the conclusion of mining activities, disturbed lands will be restored in accordance with the reclamation plan. Colowyo is continuously working with the regulatory community to improve habitat Collom — Rule 2, Page 121 Revision Date: 1/23/09 Revision No.: PR -03