2011-07-22_PERMIT FILE - M2011036 (2)

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July 19, 2011 Dustin M. Czapla Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety Colorado Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Limestone Pit No. 10 File No. M- 2011 -036 Dear Dustin: COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE 1313 Sherman Street, Room 618 • Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone (303) 866 -3437 • FAX (303) 866 -3206 wildlife.state.co.us • parks.state.co.us RECEIVED Inn 222011 Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Limestone Pit No. 10 gravel pit to be operated by Moffat County. The proposed site consists of about 86 acres and is located about 22 miles northwest of Maybell in Section 16 and 17, Township 7N, Range 98W, Moffat County, CO. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reviewed this application and would like to provide the following comments. Parks and Wildlife believes that the habitat within the development area has a high wildlife value. This site is identified as mule deer critical winter range and a Greater sage -grouse production area. It is our understanding that this gravel pit will be operated mostly in the summer season, which would minimize impacts to mule deer critical winter range. Impacts to Greater sage -grouse may be managed by minimizing the retention of stagnant surface water at the site and treating any surface water that provides a medium for breeding mosquitoes with Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis v. israelensis) or take other effective action to control mosquito larvae that may spread West Nile Virus to wildlife, especially sage - grouse. The proposed permit boundary gets quite close to the riparian area of the Little Snake River on the north side of County Road No.10. From the standpoint of avian communities, sensitive fish species, potential river otter habitat, and downstream water quality it would be preferable to minimize or eliminate ground - disturbing activities within the floodplain area. One suggestion would be to curb the pelluiit boundary at County Road No. 10 if Moffat County has no intention of using the small area north of the county road. 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. The control and removal of noxious weeds on the STATE OF COLORADO John W. Hickenlooper, Govemor • Mike King, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources Rick D. Cables, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Parks and Wildlife Board: David R. Brougham • Gary Butterworth, Vice -Chair • Chris Castilian Dorothea Farris • Tim Glenn, Chair • Allan Jones • Bill Kane • Gaspar Pemcone • Jim Pribyl • John Singletary Mark Smith, Secretary • Robert Streeter • Lenna Watson • Dean Wingfield Ex Officio Members: Mike King and John Salazar