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including winter range for big game and breeding habitat for small nongame animals. These <br />impacts will be temporary and reclamation as described in the reclamation plan will restore pre - <br />mining habitat values. The reclaimed rangeland will provide better habitat for big game and <br />many nongame species than the existing vegetation because a more robust and species- diverse <br />mix of grasses and forbs will be planted. See the seed mix in the Reclamation Plan (Exhibit E). <br />It is also required by the Reclamation Plan that the unmined portions of the pit be left as is until <br />they are mined and it is also required that the operation conduct contemporaneous reclamation. <br />This means that, as areas are mined out, topsoil will be placed on the area within a reasonable <br />period of time and the area will be seeded and mulched to return it to the use of dry rangeland. It <br />will not be grazed upon until the area is accepted by the DRMS. It is anticipated that the mining <br />area will move around the site as a fixed disturbance area, adding new disturbance area each year <br />and reclaiming mined out land each year. By so doing, the operation will limit the magnitude of <br />the impact in any given year. <br />Another positive aspect of the mining plan is that the outside edge of the terrace will be left in <br />place as a natural berm until the end of the mine life, when it will be removed to restore the flat <br />terrace. The natural berm will be approximately the same height as the gravel deposit and will <br />shield the mining and gravel processing activities from the surrounding area. Noise and visual <br />impact will be less to all surrounding areas. <br />Due to the possibility for animal /vehicle collisions, hauling activities could pose a threat to <br />wildlife. T minimize impacts, haul trucks will keep to posted speeds and drivers need to remain <br />aware of the potential for collisions. <br />Uncompahgre Pit, February 2013 H - <br />