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STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Rifter, Jr., Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />Thomas E. Remington, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />wildlife. state. co. us <br />November 18, 2010 <br />Berhan M Keffelew <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />. 0 o <br />OF <br />For Wildlife- <br />For People <br />RECIEiver) <br />NOV 2,2 i 0 <br />vivi4pa Qt <br />RE: CEDARWOOD CLAY MINE DRMS FILE NUMBER M-1977-317 CONVERSION APPLICATION <br />110c TO 112c <br />Dear Mr. Keffelew, <br />Thank you for the opportunity to 1;?m_Tent on the proposed expansion of the Cedarwood Clay Mine, Located <br />southeast of Colorado City in Pueblo County, CO. The mission of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is <br />to protect, preserve, enhance, and manage wildlife and their environment for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the <br />people of Colorado and its visitors. One of the ways we achieve our mission is to comment on land use proposals <br />such as the request we received from your agency. Our goal is to provide complete, consistent and timely <br />information to all entities who request comment on matters within our statutory authority and our mission. <br />Our office appreciates the opportunity to review the proposed project. CDOW anticipates minimal wildlife <br />impacts associated with the expansion of the Cedarwood Mine. <br />Throughout the length of the project there are areas of existing vegetation which are important to wildlife. This <br />vegetation is short grass prairie. The site is used primarily by small mammals and birds with some use by <br />pronghorn, mule deer, and the occasional elk. There are no known T&E species on or near this area and wildlife <br />impacts by the construction will be minimal. This project is not located within or adjacent to any wetlands or <br />flood plain. <br />The major concern at this location will be the control of invasive noxious weeds. Special care should be taken <br />when transporting materials to and from the site. Vehicles should be inspected and cleaned frequently to prevent <br />the spread of invasive species. Reclamation of the mine is a concern of the Division of Wildlife. Non-vegetated <br />soil has the potential to erode and foster the establishment of noxious weeds. CDOW would prefer that disturbed <br />sites be re-vegetated with suitable native grass species to help minimize erosion, aid in the prevention of noxious <br />weed establishment, and provide cover for some wildlife species. Recommendations for specific mixes in certain <br />habitats and soils for reclamation may also be discussed with Division of Wildlife or Natural Resource <br />Conservation Service (NRCS). <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Robert Bray, Chair e Brad Coors, Vice Chair 9 Tim Glenn, Secretary <br />Members, Dennis Buechler 9 Jeffrey Crawford * Dorothea Fards 9 Roy McAnally 9 Richard Ray a Robert Streeter <br />Ex Officio Members, Harris Sherman and John Stulp