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• <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Roy Romer, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Perry D. Olson, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />Mr. James C. Stevens <br />Senior Environmental <br />Division of Minerals <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />U <br />III IIIIIIIIIIIII III <br />999 <br />\,~. <br />-3_ <br />/ ...r <br />Protection Specialist <br />and Geology <br />REFER TO <br />For Wild(ije- <br />For People <br />February 1, 1994 <br />Re: United Companies of Mesa County, Colona Gravel Pit, File No. <br />M-94-005 <br />Dear Mr. Stevens: <br />The Division of Wildlife has reviewed the site United Companies <br />of Mesa County wishes to develop for a gravel pit, asphalt and <br />concrete plant near Colona. The following are our concerns and <br />recommendations: <br />~~ ~1$T <br />The applicant's site is located due east of the Colona Tract of <br />the Billy Creek State Wildlife Area. The area was purchased as a <br />winter range for big game animals, primarily mule deer. The <br />proposed site receives frequent migration use by mule deer moving <br />back and forth from the river to the wildlife area and adjacent <br />private lands. Increased truck traffic in the area will only <br />increase the existing problems with road kills and traffic <br />accidents. This is a concern that needs to be taken very <br />seriously. <br />This company is moving into the area to take advantage of the <br />development growth occurring in the area. We recommend they work <br />with Montrose and Ouray Counties and the Colorado Department of <br />Transportation to develop plans to alleviate the problems <br />resulting from increased traffic and roadkills. <br />The Uncompahgre River lies immediately east of the project site. <br />This is a good wildlife area providing outstanding habitat for <br />mule deer, elk, waterfowl, shorebirds, upland species, <br />amphibians, reptiles and numerous species of raptors, songbirds <br />and vertebrates. Of note is the extensive winter use of the <br />river corridor by the endangered bald eagle. <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Kenneth Salazar, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, William R. Hegberg, Member • Eldon W. Cooper, Chairman • Felix Chavez, Member • Rebecca L. Frank, Member <br />Louis F. Swift, Member • George VanDenBerg. Member • Larry M. Wright, Member • Thomas M. Eve, Member <br />