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COLORADO PARKS &WILDLIFE <br />PO Box 775777 •Steamboat Springs,Colorado 80477 <br />(970)871-2855 •(970)871-2853 <br />wildlife.state.co.us·parks.state.co.us <br />November 28,2012 <br />Twentymile Coal,LLC <br />29515 RCR27 <br />Oak Creek,CO 80467 <br />ATTN:Jerry Nettleton <br />RE:Twentymile Coal,LLC Seismic Testing 2012/2013-Wildlife Consultation <br />On November 13,2012 Twentymile Coal,LLC requested from Colorado Parks and <br />Wildlife (CPW)a Wildlife Consultation letter concerning a seismic testing project in the <br />Twenty Mile Park area,Routt County Colorado.CPW appreciates the opportunity to <br />review the proposed Seismic testing with respect to wildlife impacts. <br />Twentymile Coal,LLC is proposing to conduct Digipulse seismic testing on State of <br />Colorado,Twentymile Coal,LLC,Routt County Road #37 and other private lands in and <br />around the Twentymile park area.This activity would include 5 seismic lines totaling <br />approximately 7.12 miles.The Digipulse seismic operations will begin on Line land <br />proceed south through line 5.The proposed seismic project is expected to start in late <br />December 2012 or early January 2013.A production rate of approximately 1 to 2 miles <br />per day is expected with project completion estimated for late January to early February <br />2013 (Information provided by Twentymile Coal,LLC exhibits 1,2,5,8). <br />A variety of wildlife species are expected to be found on the site including small <br />mammals,a variety of grassl shrub land bird species including Columbian sharp-tailed <br />grouse (CSTG)and possibly greater sage grouse (GrSG),eagles,hawks,owls,mule deer, <br />elk,pronghorn antelope,bear,mountain lion,and coyotes.The CDOW is not aware of <br />any federally listed threatened or endangered species habitat that will be impacted by the <br />proposed activity. <br />This type of activity may impact daily use patterns of local wildlife but should not have <br />lasting impacts beyond the project time line.Much of the project is within elk,winter <br />range,winter concentration areas and migration routes and CSTG overall range,winter <br />range and production area.However,we do not anticipate any long term impacts if the <br />seismic lines are reclaimed properly,if necessary,and the project is completed prior to <br />March 15lh,the beginning of CSTG breeding season. <br />Reviewing the equipment and personnel schedule,it is not anticipated that ground <br />disturbance will be detrimental to existing vegetation.Although if ground disturbance is <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:Robert W.Bray.Chris Castilian.Jeanne Home <br />Bill Kane,VlCe-Chair.Gaspar Perricone.James Pribyl.John Singletary,Chair <br />Mark Smith,Secretary.James Vigil.Dean Wingfield.Michelle Zimmerman <br />Ex Officio Members:Mike King and John Salazar