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July 11, 2012 <br />T.C. Wait <br />COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE <br />600 Reservoir Road • Pueblo, Colorado 81005 <br />Phone (719) 561 -5300 • FAX (719) 561 -5321 <br />wildlife.state.co.us • parks. state. co. us RECEIVED <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />T.C. Wait, <br />JUL 1 G 2012 <br />Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining & Safety <br />600( .t <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed expansion of the Feister <br />Gravel Pit in Section 28 of Township 3 1 S Range 68West in reference to Div of Min & <br />Geo 6.4.8 EXHIBIT H — Wildlife Information. District Wildlife Manager Bob Holder did <br />indeed comment on this gravel pit on February 9, 2006 and again on May 6, 2012 to Las <br />Animas County Road and Bridge Supervisor Phil Dorenkamp and was reference MS <br />Forest, LLC, MSF /Feister Pit #1, File No. M- 2006 -010 in 2006. That aside, the <br />following will be a direct response to questions contained within EXHIBIT H: <br />6.4.8 EXHIBIT H - Wildlife Information <br />(a) a description of the significant wildlife resources on the <br />affected land; <br />Mule deer, elk, Merriam's turkey, black bear, mountain lion <br />(b) seasonal use of the area; <br />Mule deer — year round; elk — year round; Merriam's turkey — year round; black bear — <br />summer /fall; Mountain lion — year round <br />(c) the presence and estimated population of threatened or endangered species from <br />either federal or state lists; <br />No threatened or endangered species known <br />(d) a description of the general effect during and after the proposed operation on the <br />existing wildlife of the area, including but not limited to temporary and permanent loss of <br />food and habitat, interference with migratory routes, and the general effect on the wildlife <br />from increased human activity, including noise: <br />Generally, wildlife will be displaced to adjacent areas of cover during the proposed <br />operation but should utilize the area, possibly with increased frequency, if <br />appropriate rehabilitation practices are utilized. Additionally noise `pollution' can <br />negatively impact breeding calls of game and non game species such as turkey and <br />neotropical birds so seasonal timing of activity might lessen that impact. <br />Inclusion of native shrubs such as four wing saltbush might increase mule deer use and <br />proper grasses and forbs will all of the above mentioned wildlife species seasonally. As <br />an aid, below is the grass and shrub mixture utilized on our Bosque del Oso State <br />Wildlife in western Las Animas County developed in conjunction with the Natural <br />Resource Conservation Service. Addition of this mixture might aid in holding elk in this <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />John W. Hickenlooper, Governor • Mike King, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources <br />Rick D. Cables, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife <br />Parks and Wildlife Commission: David R. Brougham • Gary Butterworth, Vice -Chair • Chris Castilian <br />Dorothea Farris • Tim Glenn, Chair • Allan Jones • Bill Kane • Gaspar Perricone • Jim Pribyl . John Singletary <br />Mark Smith, Secretary • Robert Streeter • Lenna Watson • Dean Wingfield <br />Ex Officio Members: Mike King and John Salazar <br />