2013-02-04_PERMIT FILE - M2012050

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January 28, 2013 Dear Mr. Marshall: COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE Northwest Regional Office 711 Independent Ave.. Grand Junction, Colorado 81505 Phone (970)255 -6100 • FAX (970)255 -6111 wildlife.state.co.us • parks.state.co.us Travis Marshall, Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Colorado Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 RE: United Companies of Mesa County Otter Creek Pit File No. M- 2012 -050 RECEIVED 8 0 4 2013 SIVIS14N 4p MININGA D S �E Ty . �. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has reviewed the notice for the United Companies of Mesa County to develop the Otter Creek Sand and Gravel Pit. This sand and gravel mining operation is proposed to be located on property located in Section 14, T1S, R1E of the Ute Principle Meridian. Colorado Parks and Wildlife appreciates the opportunity to comment on the wildlife species present in this area, as well as how they may be impacted by the proposed sand and gravel operation. The site of the proposed mining operation is currently used as developed agricultural land, and is adjacent to the Colorado River riparian area. While riparian areas cover only 3 percent of the total landmass in Colorado, they provide habitat to over 90 percent of the state's wildlife at some phase in life. These areas serve as both permanent habitat and as movement corridors from one habitat type to another. The Otter Creek property is currently utilized as a foraging area and as winter range for Canada Geese and a variety of other waterfowl. Approximately one mile upstream from the property there is a well established Great Blue Heron rookery. This stretch of the Colorado River is also winter range for bald eagles, although there are no know active nests in the immediate area. Osprey are also known to use the area. There have been nests on the adjacent Clifton Sanitation property, and there is an active nest on the Mesa County property located southwest of the 32 Rd & D Rd intersection. Consequently careful surveys for new and active nests should be performed prior to the commencement of mining activities. No new surface activity should occur with 1 /4 of a mile of active Osprey nests from April 1 until August 31 Artificial nesting platforms are regularly used by Osprey, and can be erected well outside the planned mining area to encourage birds to nest outside the area. Wild Turkeys were introduced several miles upstream at the Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area, and turkeys may occasionally visit the property. The property provides habitat for mule deer and a variety of small mammals including, but not limited to, raccoon, striped skunk, red fox, and cottontail rabbit. River Otter sightings along this stretch of the Colorado River continue to increase, and otters will frequently visit water impoundments off the river in search of food. The stretch of the Colorado River adjacent to the property is critical habitat for four species of native, endangered, 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