2011-08-19_REVISION - C1980007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO: TOM KALDEBA FROM: JANET BINNS SUBJECT: WEST ELK TR DATE: 8/19/2011 CC: DAN HERNANDEZ. INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM On Thursday, August 18, 2011, Brian Magee from Colorado Park and Wildlife(CP &W) returned my call regarding clarification of the letter received from J. Wenum of G' &W dated July 29, 2011, regarding West Elk's TR125. The Division had requested clarification regarding CP &W's definition of 60:40 forage to cover. G' &W defines cover as security cover. Security cover would be mountain shrub community or forest community greater than 5 ft in height that allows hiding cover for elk. Forage cover would entail shrubs and browse 4 -5 feet in height that provides nutritive forage and browse especially for wintering elk. Winter food supplies were cited as the primary concern regarding the forage to cover ratio. Mr. Magee indicated that CP &W would accept a reduced standard for shrub establishment on West Elk's reclaimed lands as long as the forage to cover ratio can be maintained. Grassy meadows provide little forage for ungulates during snow covered winter months. I looked at West Elk's Map 42- vegetation, and maps that show their disturbed areas. CP &W were evaluating the forage to cover ratio on the permit boundary. The Division's database shows the permitted acreage of 17,154.90 acres, and the approved disturbed acres as 599.45 acres. Approved disturbed acres account for 3.5% of the approved permit area. Disturbed areas appear to be predominately oak brush, dry meadow, sagebrush, along with some aspen, Douglas fir and riparian areas. Based on the relatively small proportion of disturbance to the overall permit area, it would appear that the desired forage to cover ratios would be maintained. Mr. Magee indicated that CP &W would be agreeable to Mountain Coal not having a numeric standard for shrub establishment as long as the forage to cover ratio could be maintained.