2014-04-14_PERMIT FILE - M2014009

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April 7, 2014 COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 300 W New York • Gunnison, Colorado 81230 Phone (970) 641 -7060 • FAX (970) 641 -7883 cpw.state.co.us Dustin M. Czapla Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety 1313 Sherman St. Room 215 Denver, CO. 80203 RE: Notice of 112 Construction Materials Reclamation Permit Application Consideration Delta County, North Road Pit, File No. M- 2014 -009 Mr. Czapla, This letter is ir} res on our request to provide recommendations minimizing wildlife impacts for a proposed gravel pit located in Delta County, CO. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reviewed the site plan for the North Road Pit. The proposed area is approximately 93 acres in size and the plant life that exists without human influence consists of sage brush and an assortment of grasses and forbs commonly found in the and portions of Western Colorado. The area is utilized by deer year round and elk in the winter months. Bears and mountain lions and variety of small mammals, passerine birds use the general vicinity of the project area. To minimize impacts on wildlife resources, we recommend native plant species should be used in revegetation. Native plants often out - compete exotic species over time and are most useful to wildlife. The native vegetation surrounding the site can be used as a reference site for selecting native species. Controlling noxious weeds during as well as after the project is completed can also benefit wildlife. Upon completion of the project, ponds created from gravel pits can greatly benefit wildlife, especially if the final slope of the pits is appropriate for wildlife and aquatic needs. If fencing is proposed, we recommend fences which are wildlife friendly and allow free movement of wildlife. CPW has published a wildlife friendly fence brochure that can be accessed from or Living with Wildlife page on our website at http: / /cpw.state.co.us Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this land use issue in Delta County. If you need further information please contact District Wildlife Manager Bob Morris at (970)835 -3851. Sincerel ►�, '4�Wenum, Area Wildlife Manager Comments prepared by: Bob Morris District Wildlife Manager, Cedaredge Cc: SW Region APR o 4 2014 Division of Reclamation, N ining & Safety STATE OF COLORADO John W. Hickenlooper, Governor • Mike King, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources Bob D. Broscheid, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Parks and Wildlife Commission: Robert W. Bray • Chris Castilian, Secretary • Jeanne Home Bill Kane, Chair. Gaspar Perricone • James Pribyl . John Singletary Mark Smith, Vice -Chair • James Vigil • Dean Wingfield • Michelle Zimmerman Ex Officio Members: Mike King and John Salazar