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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866 -3567 <br />FAX: (303) 832 -8106 <br />March 7, 2014 <br />Al Trujillo <br />Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Springs Office <br />4255 Sinton Road <br />Colorado Springs, CO 80907 <br />Re: New Elk Mine (Permit No. C- 1981 -012) <br />Technical Revision No. 68, (TR -68) <br />Proposed changes to revegetation plan <br />Dear Mr. Trujillo: <br />COLORADO <br />D I V I S I O N OF <br />RECLAMATION <br />MINING <br />SAFETY <br />John W. Hickenlooper <br />Governor <br />Mike King <br />Executive Director <br />Loretta E. Pineda <br />Director <br />New Elk Coal Company (NECC) is the operator and permittee of the New Elk Coal Mine, near Weston, <br />in Las Animas County. In response to a recent review of their permit by the Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining and Safety (DRMS), NECC submitted a technical revision to the permit (TR68). Part of TR68 <br />seeks to change the approved revegetation plan for the site. <br />The currently approved post- mining land uses at the New Elk mine are Rangeland, Upland Wildlife <br />Habitat and Riparian Wildlife Habitat. NECC has proposed a plan to establish shrubs in clumps on <br />reclaimed land, with a view to improving wildlife habitat. The proposed permit text, which describes the <br />plan in detail, is attached. For reference the existing permit text, which is proposed to be replaced is also <br />attached (2.05- 47c.pdf). Under the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for <br />Coal Mining, Rule 4.15.8(7), consultation with and approval by the Colorado Division of Wildlife is <br />required before this revision can be approved. <br />It is my understanding that Mike Trujillo, Bob Holder, Bill Valverde and yourself were consulted by <br />Kent Gorham of Gorham Energy Consultants at the time that the new plan was formulated, so I hope <br />that you are familiar with the site and the general principles of the plan that NECC is now formally <br />proposing. <br />If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me by email or telephone (303 866 3567 <br />x8121). Otherwise, I look forward to your comments on the proposed changes. <br />Sincerely <br />Leigh Simmons. <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Attachments: <br />proposed text regarding shrubs.pdf <br />2.05- 47c.pdf <br />Office of Office of <br />Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines <br />