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J. E. STOVER & ASSOCIATES <br />2768 COMPASS DRIVE, SUITE 101 <br />GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO 81506 <br />• PHONE: (970) 245-4101, FAX 242-7908 <br />MINE ENGINEERING <br />MINE RECLAMATION <br />March 18, 2002 <br />Kirk Madariaga <br />District Wildlife Manager <br />P.O. Box 426 <br />Paonia, CO 81428 <br />Re: Bowie Resources Limited - Bowie No. 2 Mine <br />Vegetation Plan <br />Dear Mr. Madariaga: <br />CIVIL ENGINEERING <br />CONST. MANAGEMENT <br />The revegetation objective for the disturbed area associated with the Bowie No. 2 Mine is to <br />achieve a diverse, self-sustaining cover of the grasses, forbs, and shrubs that will become a <br />productive and stable vegetative community. The number of shrubs replaced per acre will be <br />considerably less than the density of shrubs present on the proposed disturbed area. Since the <br />intent of the revegetation plan is to establish a rangeland and wildlife land use that is equal to or <br />• better than the existing conditions, fewer shrubs will be replaced so as to balance the grass <br />forage production against the shrub cover needs of wildlife. <br />The grass forage needs of wildlife in the permit and surrounding area is an important concern. <br />The surrounding area is dominated by oak brush and Juniper trees. Very little area is open <br />grassland, though small meadow inclosures within a mixed shrub matrix can be found as a <br />natural part of the landscape at higher altitudes north of the disturbed area. The primary mine <br />disturbance will be about 4,000 feet long in a north-south direction and will range from a few <br />hundred to 1,000 feet wide. The reclamation of the mine will add 40 to 50 acres of grass <br />dominated forage to the overall area which should improve the wildlife habitat. <br />The Division of Minerals and Geology's rule 4.15.8(7) requires consultation with the Division of <br />Wildlife for areas with a wildlife postmining land use to determine minimum stocking levels, <br />planting arrangements and methods of mitigation. Specifically, all woody plant density <br />standards or in the case of Bowie Resources Limited, lack thereof, are to be developed in <br />consultation with the DOW. On behalf of Bowie Resources Limited, please provide the DOW's <br />position on the lack of a woody plant stocking level in the reclamation plan for the Bowie No. 2 <br />Mine. <br />Enclosed is a copy of the vegetation section from Bowie's mining permit to assist in your review <br />of this issue. <br />Sincerely, <br />J. E. Stover, P.E. <br />Consulting Engineer <br />Rnr-o <br />5,9Joz