2011-05-11_REVISION - M1986002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF COLORADO John W. Hickenlooper, 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 4ravis H. Marshall Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Mesa County, Craig Ranch Pit, Permit No. M-1986-002 y For Wildlife- RECEIVED For People May 13, 2011 ?flvlslon of Reclamation, Mining & Safety Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Craig Ranch Gravel Pit, Permit No. M-1986-002, the gravel extraction pit located at 870 Hwy., 141, Whitewater, CO. The CDOW reviewed the application and visited the site; we do not have any wildlife impact concerns or recommendations related to the expanded use of this development project. However, we support the storm water management actions (sediment ponds, proper grading, and reclamation) to keep surface runoff from reaching the Gunnison River, which as you are aware is habitat for several federal endangered fish; including the Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)and Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius). As with all gravel mining operations, reclamation is a very important step for final project conclusion; the subject parcel contains several vegetation species important to wildlife. They are: needle & thread, Stipa comata; Indian rice grass, Oryzopsis hymenoides; four-wing saltbush, Atriplex canescens; and big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata. The site also contains several non-native, undesirable species; they are cheat grass, Bromus tectorum; Russian thistle, Salsola kali; and halogeton, Halogeton glomeratus. If this property is not immediately developed with urban uses following completion of the gravel extraction, reclamation efforts should include an integrated vegetation management plan using native vegetation and a rigorous weed management component. The CDOW appreciates the opportunity to review the Craig Ranch Gravel Pit, Permit No. M-1986-002 expansion proposal. Please let me know if you have an questions or would like clarification. Since , JT. Romatzke, Area ildlife Manager Colorado Division of Wildlife 711 Independent Ave. Grand Junction, CO 81505 970-255-6178 C. Ty Smith, District Wildlife Manager DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Mike King, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tim Glenn, Chair • Robert Streeter, Vice Chair • Mark Smith, Secretary Members, David R. Brougham • Dorothea Farris • Allan Jones • Gaspar Perricone • John Singletary • Dean Wingfield Ex Officio Members, Mike King and John Salazar