HomeMy WebLinkAbout992948.tiff I.Z Z United States I poegt ''�' Arapaho and 240 West Prospect Road
Department of Serv1Ce - - Roosevelt NF's Fort Collins,CO
Agriculture Pawnee NG 80526-2098
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File Code: 5430
- _-- Date: December 6,1999
Dear Interested Party:
The Pawnee National Grassland of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest has entered into a
land exchange proposal with Mr. Mike Cervi, of Cervi Ranches, Inc. (exchange BLM Serial Number
COC-62260). The Federal and non-Federal lands involved in the exchange are located in northeast-
ern Weld County, Colorado, and is described in the attached map. The Grassland proposed for the
exchange totals 1,917.68 acres, and the non-Federal land totals 1,906.08 acres.
Public benefits realized from this exchange include:
1. An increase in Grassland wildlife habitat diversity by acquiring sandstone cliffs and prai-
rie woodlands used by various birds of prey, rolling prairie uplands used by mule deer, pronghorn,
and other wildlife, and a prairie dog town, the source of prey for many prairie predators. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service has been contacted regarding the effects of the exchange, and is satisfied
that significant mountain plover nesting habitat will not be lost by the exchange (the plover is a bird
species that uses the shortgrass prairie for nesting, and is currently formally proposed for listing as
threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
Several of the non-Federal parcels to be acquired are adjacent to the Indian Caves Research Natural
Area on the Grassland (Sections 14, 22, and 23, T11N R56W). The RNA contains unique habitats of
the prairie ecosystem, and consists of shortgrass prairie, rocky cliffs, trees, and shrublands used by
many species of wildlife.
2. Completion of the exchange will result in a net decrease of Grassland boundary to post
and maintain from the disposal of several isolated parcels.
3. Opportunities for resource management will be improved by the consolidation of Federal
ownership. The number of grazing permits will be reduced, and the consolidation of allotments will
allow more efficient range management.
4. A paleontological survey for fossil resources located one possibly important site on the
Federal land to be exchanged. Future Federal excavation and analysis of the site may be specified in
the exchange deed, if needed.
The benefit for Mr. Cervi will be consolidation of his ranch, improved grazing management, and ac-
quisition of parcels that once belonged to his family.
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S Fe: CA, ?L 992948
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Other aspects of the exchange include:
1. A heritage resource survey for the exchange revealed four significant archaeological sites
on the Federal parcels proposed for disposal (significant means the sites are eligible for nomination
to the National Register of Historic Places). One of the sites is part of the possible location of a
battle between Native Americans and the U.S. Cavalry in the mid 1800s (most of the site is on Mr.
Cervi's adjacent private land). Discussions with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office, the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, representatives of four native American tribes interested
in the battle site and other prehistoric sites, and Mr. Cervi will result in a Memorandum of Agree-
ment that will preserve the battle site and allow Federal excavation and analysis of the other three
sites after the exchange, and allow tribal access to the sites after the lands become privately owned.
These mitigations will be specified in the exchange deed.
2. No mineral estates will be exchanged. The Federal estate under the proposed Federal
lands for disposal will be reserved by the United States. The private estates under the private lands
to be acquired by the United States will remain private.
3. No sensitive plant species are known to be located on the Federal lands for disposal in the
exchange.
The Pawnee Cooperative Grazing Association initially had concerns about the net loss of grazing
lands for their members if the exchange was completed. However, negotiations between the As-
sociation Board of Directors, Mr. Cervi, and the Forest Service have resulted in additional private
parcels being added to the exchange to maintain the Association's grazing opportunities.
If you have questions or comments about the exchange or the exchange process, or desire to visit the
lands proposed for disposal and acquisition by the Forest Service,please contact Bud Phillips, Ex-
change Coordinator, at the Grassland office (Pawnee National Grassland, 660 O Street, Greeley,
Colorado 8063), or by telephone at (970) 353-5004. As part of the public scoping for this exchange,
a Public Notice of the exchange proposal will be published in the Greeley (Colorado) Tribune on
December 3, 1999. The required 45 day comment period after the first publication will end on Janu-
ary 17, 2000, and all comments on this exchange proposal must be received at this office or post-
marked by that date. Thank you for your assistance in Grassland resource management.
Sincerely,
P. LISOWSKY
A g Forest Supervisor
Enclosure
ERV
LAN D EXCHANGE
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