HomeMy WebLinkAbout990397.tiff Dec 13 98 07: 18p Division of Wildlife 1 -970-352-2143 P• 1
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990397
12/13/98 19:24 TX/RX NO.3741 P.001 •
Dec 13 98 07: ISp Division of Wildlife 1 -970-352-2143 p. 2
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STATE OF COLORADO
Roy Romer, Governor December 12, 1998
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ��I
John W.Mumma.Director IOW
•
6060 Broadway OP M DING
Denver.Colorado 90216 you.WILDLIFE
Telephone:(303) 297-1192
Larry Rotated, District Wildlife Manager
152828"Avenue Court
Greeley,Colorado 80631 Phone 970-352-2143
Mr. Eric Jerman, Planner
Weld County Department of Planning Services
1400 North 17"'Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80631 Re: USR1206 Andesite Gravel Co.
Dear Eric,
I received the referral labeled USR 1206, for the Andesite Co. at Del Camino, from you some time
ago. First, I would like to apologize for the late response on this referral. The material was
forwarded to the local officer to review- Unfortunately the packet was misplaced in our internal
mail system and was never received for processing. In a discussion with you I discovered that we
had failed to respond. In that discussion you provided me with background on this'clonal and I
have visited the site. The Division's comments are based on my site visit on this date. Hopefully,
this letter will arrive in time to be of use.
The Andesite site is located in the St. Vrain River Valley,to the South of Barbour Ponds State
Park. Much of the site has already been mined for gravel,and has not been reclaimed. The south
side of the parcel, adjacent to Highway 119,has not been mined. This area can be described as a
wet meadow complex associated with a small creek draining to the north. The presence of
Bluejoint reedgrass, Canary reedgrass,Prairie cordgrass, Inland saltgrass, misc. reed and sedge,
and cattails are indicative of low elevation riparian pastureland. There is a bit of upland
pastureland,predominated by miscellaneous species of wheatgrass, scattered throughout the wet
meadows. Black-tailed Prairie Dogs have colonized much of the upland areas and can also be
found in low density in the wet meadow. There are a few mature Cottonwood trees found on site.
The Division of Wildlife is most concerned about the impact of mining on the Black-tailed Prairie
Dog colony and potential presence of Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse on site. Portions of Sec.
3,Twn. 2N, R 68W near the Andesite property have been designated as a Potential Mouse
Protection Area(St. Vrain Creek Section#1)under the US Fish and Wildlife Service management
plan for Preble's mouse. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to activities in this area
that may destroy Preble's habitat and/or inadvertently harm Preble's mice.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,James S. Lochhead, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION,Arnold Salazar,Chairman•Mark LeValley,Secretary•Jesse Langston Boyd,Jr.,Member
Rebecca L. Frank, Member•William R.Hogberg,Member•James R.Long,Member•John SnAp,Member•Louis F.Swift,Member
12/13/98 19:24 TX/RX NO.3741 P.002
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Dec 13 98 07: 19p Division of Wildlife 1 -970-352-2143 p. 3
Based on these concerns,the Division would recommend that prior to disturbance of the wet
meadows along Highway 119, adjacent to the creek,a survey be conducted for the presence of
Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse(Zapus hudsonius preblei). The work should be conducted by
trained biologists, qualified to conduct such surveys. Survey work should be performed between
June 1 and September 15. Results of the survey should be provided to Weld County and the
Colorado Division of Wildlife. The Division and Weld County should be notified immediately if
specimens are farad on site, so that a mitigation plan may be approved prior to onset of mining.
The presence of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs gives rise to several potential concerns from an
ecological view as well as the public relations/public policy arena. This species, more than any
other, seems to inculcate strong emotions in people on both sides of the issue. Efforts to remove
the animals from a parcel may be met with strong resistance from individuals and/or organized
groups. From a biological standpoint,prairie dogs may be considered the key species in prairie
ecosystems. Studies indicate that the burrow system created by prairie dogs provide essential
habitat for literally dozens of other vertebrate groups. The relationship between prairie dogs and
native grass stands is well documented. Research also indicates that Black-tailed Prairie Dogs
currently occupy less than 5%of their historic range. Recently the National Wildlife Federation
petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS)to list Black-tailed Prairie Dogs,the
species found in Weld County, as a threatened or endangered species on the Federal roster. This
issue will be hammered out in the coming months/years. Currently, in Colorado they are listed as
a game species,which allows take under sport harvest or to alleviate nuisance/damage situations.
Burrowing Owls,a species recently added to the Colorado Threatened Species List,rely on prairie
dog burrows as critical nesting habitat As a migratory species and a raptor,both the USFWS,as
well as the Colorado Division of Wildlife protect Burrowing Owls. The Species is considered
primarily a summer resident of Colorado and a casual winter resident on the eastern plains of our
state. In winter they are found from Texas and New Mexico down into Argentina. The critical
nesting period for Burrowing Owls occurs between April 1 and August 31. During this time
breeding females occupy burrows, generally in active prairie dog towns,to nest and fledge their
young. Females tend to raise one brood per year. Nesting owls will return to the same dog town
to nest year after year unless the town is destroyed. When confronted with human disturbance
near nest sites,Burrowing Owls abandon the nest. Efforts to relocate nesting owls have generally
proven to be ineffective.
Based on these considerations the Division of Wildlife would recommend that the following be
incorporated in approval of the mining application for this parcel:
•? Initial earthwork, should be planned so that it occurs between September 1 and March
31 of the year. This would minimize the chance of adversely impacting nesting owls.
. If initial development,including survey and earthwork,is to occur between April I
and July 31,the prairie dog colony should be presurveyed for the presence of
Burrowing Owls by a certified biologist with proper training. If nesting owls are
found,their burrow entrances should be marked and protected by a noudisturbance
none of 180 yards radius from the bole through July 31. Burrowing Owls shall not be
disturbed without prior consultation with The Colorado Division of Wildlife. The
12/13/98 19:24 TX/RX NO.3741 P.003
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Dec 13 98 07: 19p Division of Wildlife 1 -970-352-2143 p. 4
owner/developer shall immediately contact the Division of Wildlife upon discovery
of injured or dead Burrowing Owls- lant effort or
•9 Prairie dogs should be removed from the site through a trap/tr through
euthanasia prior to onset of mining. Euthanasia shall occur only use of
substances approved for such purposes. Trap/transplant efforts must receive prior
approval of the Colorado Division of Wildlife using approved techniques and release
site. Removal efforts shall not adversely affect Burrowing Owls. Merely bulldozing
active prairie dog colonies is not an effective or appropriate method of removal.
I have appreciated the opportunity to review and comment on this development proposal As
always,I am available to answer any questions that the applicant or you may have. Please feel
free to call me at 970-352-2143.
Best Wishes for the Holidays,
Larry Rogatad
Cc Mark Cousins,DOW Longmont
Dave Clarkson,Area Wildlife Manager DOW
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12/13/98 19:24 TX/RX NO.3741 P.004
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