available wildlife information in July 2011. These data are summarized in this section with the
<br />complete report contained in Appendix 3 in Volume III of this document.
<br />The District has supported mining operations from the 1890's up to, and including, the present.
<br />Therefore, portions of the area to be affected under MLE2 have been occupied by previous
<br />mining operations, and parts of the previously -mined areas have been regraded and revegetated.
<br />The post - mining land use for Permit M -1980 -244 has been established and approved as wildlife
<br />habitat and livestock grazing (rangeland). This post- mining land use is also consistent with
<br />Teller County land use plans. Revegetation and general reclamation has been conducted to
<br />create useful and contributing land for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat.
<br />Typical wildlife species observed to be present, showing sign such as scat, or known to exist in
<br />the habitat are listed in Appendix 3 in Volume III of this document. Typical species include
<br />Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, black bear, blue grouse, red - tailed hawk, prairie falcon, turkey
<br />vultures, northern goshawk, Cooper's hawk, sharp - skinned hawk, Swainson's hawk, ferruginous
<br />hawk, golden eagle, gray jay, common raven, great horned owl, black - billed magpie, northern
<br />flicker, downy woodpecker, dark -eyed junco, mountain chickadee, mountain bluebird, chipping
<br />sparrow, Clark's nutcracker, yellow - rumped warbler, American robin, white - breasted nuthatch,
<br />red - breasted nuthatch, mourning dove, steller's jay, barn swallow, garter snake, coyote, red fox,
<br />raccoon, skunk, mountain lion, ground squirrels, Gunnison's prairie dog, pocket gophers,
<br />meadow vole, cottontail rabbit, jackrabbit, deer mouse, and Townsend's big -eared bat.
<br />Wildlife usage has been considered to be minimal due to the limited quantity and quality of
<br />vegetation in the District. However, the Cresson Project reclamation activities, which have
<br />created large open grassed spaces interspersed with tree - covered slopes, have led to an increase
<br />in deer and elk usage. Areas peripheral to the Cresson Project and undisturbed and reclaimed
<br />sites between the active mining areas provide wildlife habitat where vegetation is prevalent. In
<br />addition, since public hunting is not allowed on the private property of the Cresson Project, the
<br />permit area provides a refuge from hunting pressures on surrounding lands. Employee hunting is
<br />allowed at times with restrictions, but closely controlled to limit the overall number of hunters on
<br />the property.
<br />CDOW typically has commented, during previous reviews of mine operations plans, that a
<br />continuation of mining activities and other processing - related disturbances would be expected to
<br />have a minimal impact on wildlife. CC &V has worked and will continue to work with CDOW
<br />to improve post- mining wildlife habitat. CC &V has reviewed the MLE2 with the local CDOW
<br />representative, Ms. Tanya Sharp, and has incorporated her comments into this Project
<br />Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company
<br />Cresson Project Mine Life Extension 2
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