2004-10-07_REVISION - M1978116 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF COLORADO Bill~Owens, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ~ DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ~?_'.~~I, ,I ~, , 6060 Broadl ~k~ y, Director QCr ~ ~ ZG~4 Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 Division of Minerals & Geology September 30`h, 2004 / Steve S. Shuey Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Minerals and Geology DepartmentofNatural Resources- - - - 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Cotter Corporation, SM-18 Mine, Permit No. M-1978-1 6, Revision No. AR-~ Mr. Shuey, For Wildlife- For Peopile On September 17`", 2004, I had the opportunity to visit the SM-18 mine and inspect the revision being considered for Permit No. M-1978-116. Dick White from Cotter Corporation showed me the proposed land exchanges from the mine's original permit, to those outlined in Revision No. AR-1. The Division of Wildlife has no objections to the proposal. However, we would like to emphasize the importance of weed control during the construction, operation, and reclamation of the mine. Spring Creek Mesa is home to many species of wildlife, with its primary use being deer and elk winter range. Native vegetation is important to wildlife, and the native vegetation on Spring Creek Mesa is under constant threat from non-native invasive species, particularly cheatgrass, Russian knapweed, Russian thistle, and tamarisk. Continual efforts at weed control must be made to prevent further establishment ofnon-native plant species in this area. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal. Sincerely, Bill deVergie Area Wildlife Manager -Montrose DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Russell George, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Philip James, Chair • Jeffrey Crawford, Vice-Chair • Brad Phelps, Secretary Members, Bernard Black • Tom Burke • Rick Enstmm • Claire O'Neal • Robert Shoemaker. Ken Torres Ex Officio Members, Russell George and Don Ament