2009-07-20_PERMIT FILE - M2009038

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STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thomas E. Remington, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 wildlife. state. co. us RECEIVED JUL 2 0 2009 d Division ?, reclamation, y / Mining and Safety y4 OF For Wildlife- For People DATE: July 14, 2009 TO: Travis H. Marshall Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Urie Rock Company, Urie Gravel Pit, File No. M-2009-038 M M h 11• - _ Meeker Service Center P.O. Box 1181 Meeker, CO 81641 Telephone (970) 878-6090 r. ars a ' This letter is written in response to your request for comment by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) regarding application file no. M-2009-038. The permit application was submitted by the Urie Rock Company for the proposed construction of a gravel pit approximately one mile northeast of Rangely in Section 31, Township 2N, Range 101 Win Rio Blanco County. The proposed construction site is located along the north shore of the White River near the mouth of Chase Draw. Much of the site is located within the floodplain of the White River; the present vegetation community being characterized by rabbit brush and sagebrush in somewhat degraded condition. A few older age class cottonwood trees are also presenf on the site, which may seasonally serve as important roost sites for raptors in the-area, - " ` however no raptor nests are present on the site. This site can best be characterized as winter range for mule deer. Because of the proximity to the White River, the area also serves as part of a natural travel corridor for other terrestrial wildlife species. Following CDOW review of the application and on-site visits, the CDOW has determined this site is not representative of critical wildlife habitat. Provided best practice reclamation efforts are completed, the gravel mining operation itself should not have a long-term impact on terrestrial wildlife in the area. CDOW recommends that part of Urie Rock Company's reclamation efforts include preserving older age class cottonwood trees :currently on the site, and establishing willow communities. In combination with the proposed development of a surface lake and wetlands following construction, the CDOW recognizes the potential for the reclaimed area to be beneficial for raptors, waterfowl and passerines that use the area. 7?,, ? -SC _. .C ,.:111"'• ;,... s 7' -?' :r" .?i; _ri-. CDOW has some concerns over this project because of the close proximity to the White River and the presence of federally Threatened and Endangered species in the river. CDOW recommends a minimum 100-200 foot buffer zone be permanently established between construction areas and the shoreline of the White River. Additionally, all possible efforts must be made to control excessive runoff and erosion on the site to prevent water quality DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hams D. Sherman, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Brad Coors, Chair • Tim Glenn, Vice Chair • Dennis Buechler, Secretary Members, Jeffrey Crawford • Dorothea Farris • Roy McAnally . John Singletary • Mark Smith • Robert Streeter Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman and John Stulp