Laserfiche WebLink
o Do not utilize aggressive non-native grasses, forbs and shrub seeds in seed mixes. <br />o Use of wildlife friendly fence in areas that intersect wildlife and mining activity. <br />o Post mining reclamation efforts in re-creating suitable elk habitat in the areas where such <br />habitat existed <br />o Allow for migratory crossings along the haul road to minimize elk/vehicle collisions <br />• Mule Deer: Mule deer have a high degree of site fidelity to their seasonal ranges and will be <br />more adversely impacted by this development. The following mitigation efforts are <br />recommended. <br />o Concentrate as much of the mining activity as possible and leave the maximum amount <br />of native, suitable habitat intact for mule deer. <br />o Do not utilize aggressive non-native grasses, forbs and shrub seeds in seed mixes. <br />o Use of wildlife friendly fence in areas that intersect wildlife and mining activity. <br />o Post mining reclamation efforts in re-creating suitable mule deer habitat in the areas <br />where such habitat existed. <br />o Conversion of the wheat fields located in the triangle of Moffat County Roads 17,133 and <br />32 (Morgan Gulch, Jubb Creek, Collom Gulch) to suitable mule deer habitat. By <br />converting these fields with mule deer friendly mix of sage brush, forbs and grasses, <br />habitat can be created in attempt to offset the habitat loss that will occur due to the <br />mining disturbance. This will provide winter habitat for deer. Similar practice could also <br />be applied to the wheat fields located by the Gossard Load-out and Gossard Ranch area. <br />o Allow for migratory crossings along the haul road to minimize deer/vehicle collisions <br />MINE HAULAGE ROAD FROM THE GOSSARD LOAD-OUT TO THE NEW COLLOM <br />DISTURBANCE BOUNDARY <br />• This haul road creates significant impact to wildlife. Although not a barrier, the presented road <br />bisects key areas of elk and mule deer movements and migration routes. The CDOW provides <br />these recommendations: <br />o Fence the entire length of the road on both sides of the roadway with wildlife proof <br />barrier fence. Provide one-way escapement gates or ramps every one-quarter mile in both <br />runs of fence to allow wildlife that does get inside the fenced area an exit point. <br />o Establish wildlife friendly crossings (overpass/underpass) along the entire length of the <br />haul road where practicable (Consult with CDOW once the engineered design of the haul <br />road is being developed). <br />o Place a bottomless culvert crossing, or similar structure, at the point where the haul road <br />crosses any drainage or waterway. Also place 10' wide buffer zones beyond the edge of <br />the shouldered portion of the roadway at these crossings to prevent coal spillage into any <br />drainage or waterway. <br />o Establish guidelines that minimize mortality of wildlife from vehicle collisions (i.e. speed <br />limits). <br />o Use dust suppressants that are non-toxic to wildlife, plants and waterways. <br />RECLAMATION PLAN <br />CDOW has worked extensively with Colowyo to formulate a strategy that will achieve reclamation <br />success. Obviously, soil stabilization is the primary goal for reclamation, but lessons learned for the <br />reclamation of the East, Section 11, Section 16, South Taylor and West pits has provided an immense <br />amount of knowledge that is reflected in this reclamation plan. CDOW offers the following comments.