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'~ ~ ~ -- - - ~~~ I~~I~~I~~~I~~ II~ ~~~~ United States Department of the Interior 999 g FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ~a~H a ~e•9 Ecological Services 764 Horizon Drive, Building B Grand Junction, Colorado 81506-3946 RECEIVED IN REPLY REFER TO: ES/CO:FWS/HCP AUG 0 7 2000 MS 65412 GJ August 3, 2000 Division of Minerals and Geology Mr. James E. Lockhart Sierra Club-Pikes Peak Group 1718 Lorraine Street, Apartment B4 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 t~e~r Mr. Lockhart: This letter responds to questions and comments in your June 21, 2000, letter regarding the Red Canyon Quarry. First, you asked if there was conespondence accomppanying the map sent to the Colorado State Land Board that was intended to go with the January 29, 1999, letter. No correspondence was sent with the map, it was faxed to the Land Boazd after a verbal request via the telephone. Your second concern was regarding leaving an undisturbed corridor along Red Creek if [he Service agreed that mining could occur in the southwestern quarter~rior to a home range study of the owls. The Service met with the Quarry operators on May 15 , 2000, and discussed mining in the southwestern quarter. The outcome of the meeting was that the Service concluded that one forty acre parcel could be mined in the southwest quarter prior to completion of a home range study and that mining would not occur below 7,500 feet along the Red Creek drainage. The exception would be an access road across Red Creek. The Quarry operators agreed to this conditional mining plan. They also agreed to not conduct any blasting from dusk to daylight. Furthermore, they agreed to conduct future monitoring of nesting and foraging activities (a home range study) with intent to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan if momtonng of the owls prove it to be necessary. Other concerns of yours were mining up to 40 acres at a time versus the Colorado Division of Wildlife's recommendation for 12 acres at a time, what type of reclamation will occur, and other nighttime activities that aze appazently occumng. The Service will discuss all these issues with the Quarry opperators before and after completion of the home range study in anticipation of obtaining a cleazer indication of habitat use and how mining activities and current reclamation procedures may impact that use. If the Service can be of further assistance, please contact Terry Ireland at the letterhead address or (970)243-2778. Sincerely, -~~~-w~- Allan R. Pfister Assistant Colorado Field Supervisor This is your Cuture. Don't leave it blank. -Support the 2000 Census.