2012-11-29_REVISION - M1977306 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 10, 2012, Karen Fischer O'Connor Design Group 2350 G Road Grand Junction, CO 81505 COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 1 ° 2300 S. Townsend Avenue • Montrose, Colorado 81401 Phone 970 252 -6000 • FAX 970 252 -6053 wildlife.state.co.us • parks.state.co.us 4 l Re: JD -9 Mine, amending original permit #M- 977 -306 Dear Ms. Fischer Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed JD -9 Mine in Montrose County. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has reviewed the location of the proposed mine. The mine lies within winter range and severe winter range for both mule deer and elk. A population of desert bighorn sheep also inhabits the area year round. Effects to these animals should be minimal. There are approximately 10 different species of bats that inhabit the area. One species in particular, the Townsends big -eared bat is considered a species of special concern in Colorado. Active mines have been shown to have little to no impact on bats due to continuous human activity in and around active mines. However, inactive mines are often used by bats as either winter roost sites or summer breeding areas. Many of these inactive mines have "bat gates" on them, allowing bats access and denying human disturbance. According to the mining plan, the main portal to be used currently has a bat gate across the entrance. This bat gate was erected due to the BLM and CPW finding bat activity in the mine, specifically; this mine is - used as a winter roost site for Townsends big -eared bats. The CPW would like to offer the following suggestions: 1) Avoid re -entry into winter roosting sites during the hibernation season (October 1- April 15). 2) Prior to re -entry into winter /fall roosting sites, exclusions should be constructed to help prevent the entry and use of the site by bats Please see the attached bat guidelines that may be useful in addressing this issue, and feel free to contact the CPW for more specific information. The CPW also suggests fencing of the evaporation pond to exclude ungulates. As the mining plan states, the pond size will be increased from 1.42 acres to 9.1 acres. CPW recommends a minimum of an eight foot tall woven wire fence around the perimeter of the pond. The CPW supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife pond netting requirements for avian species. Please contact the CPW for information regarding the use of active and passive deterrents. STATE OF COLORADO John W. Hickenlooper, Governor • Mike King, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources Rick D. Cables, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Parks and Wildlife Commission: Robert W. Bray • Chris Castilian • Jeanne Home Bill Kane, Vice -Chair • Gaspar Perricone • James Pribyl • John Singletary, Chair Mark Smith, Secretary • James Vigil • Dean Wingfield • Michelle Zimmerman Ex Officio Members: Mike King and John Salazar