2013-09-30_REPORT - C1981019 (2)

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DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866 -3567 FAX: (303) 832 -8106 STATE OF COLORADO COLORADO ID IV I S I O N O F RECLAMATION MINING SAFETY Re: Colowyo Coal Company, Permit No. C -81 -019 Review of 2011 Annual Reclamation Report (ARR) Dear Mr. McCourt: Colowyo's 2011 Annual Reclamation Report was received by DRMS on March 9, 2012. We have a concern to express and have identified several changes that should be made to improve future ARRs. The concern is associated with parcel WPO11. Annual bromes are reported as 14 percent of cover. The Division is concerned that ten years into the liability period this parcel is still exhibiting a considerable percentage of annual grass species. This will be an issue at the time of Phase III release. The following are changes that should be made to future ARRs, starting with the 2013 AHR. • Weed management is considered a cultural practice in accordance with Rule 2.04.13(1)(e). In future ARRs, please provide information indicating where weed control efforts have been employed on a yearly basis (broken down by parcel). This information should include what methods were used, what chemicals were applied, and which noxious species were targeted. • Figure 4 -2, copies of seed tags, is illegible. In the future, please submit these tags in a legible format. • Since CCC is implementing different seed mixes depending upon the slope and topsoil replacement thickness, it is important to designate which seed mix was planted in which areas. In the future, please provide this information, including areas where interseeding was performed. • Please make sure you follow reporting requirements and additional sampling requirements for high SAR values (as well as high pH or conductivity). It appears that this was not done during the reporting period for the 2011 ARR. Office of Office of Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines John W. Hickenlooper Governor September 30, 2013 Mike King Executive Director Chris McCourt, Mine Manager Loretta E. Pineda Colowyo Coal Company Director 5731 State Highway 13 Meeker, CO 81641 Re: Colowyo Coal Company, Permit No. C -81 -019 Review of 2011 Annual Reclamation Report (ARR) Dear Mr. McCourt: Colowyo's 2011 Annual Reclamation Report was received by DRMS on March 9, 2012. We have a concern to express and have identified several changes that should be made to improve future ARRs. The concern is associated with parcel WPO11. Annual bromes are reported as 14 percent of cover. The Division is concerned that ten years into the liability period this parcel is still exhibiting a considerable percentage of annual grass species. This will be an issue at the time of Phase III release. The following are changes that should be made to future ARRs, starting with the 2013 AHR. • Weed management is considered a cultural practice in accordance with Rule 2.04.13(1)(e). In future ARRs, please provide information indicating where weed control efforts have been employed on a yearly basis (broken down by parcel). This information should include what methods were used, what chemicals were applied, and which noxious species were targeted. • Figure 4 -2, copies of seed tags, is illegible. In the future, please submit these tags in a legible format. • Since CCC is implementing different seed mixes depending upon the slope and topsoil replacement thickness, it is important to designate which seed mix was planted in which areas. In the future, please provide this information, including areas where interseeding was performed. • Please make sure you follow reporting requirements and additional sampling requirements for high SAR values (as well as high pH or conductivity). It appears that this was not done during the reporting period for the 2011 ARR. Office of Office of Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines