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United States Forest Paonia P.O. Box 1030 <br />USDA Department of Service Ranger District N Rio Grande Ave. <br />Agriculture Paonia, CO 81428 <br />970 -527 -4131 <br />Mr. James Stark <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Jim: <br />File Code: 2820 <br />Date: August 13, 2014 <br />RECEIVED <br />pivision of Reclamat►on' <br />Mining & Safety <br />On April 23, 2014, the West Elk Mine submitted a Phase I Bond Release application (SL -07) to <br />the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. This bond release application <br />concerns 22 methane drainage and exploration wells and associated access roads in the West <br />Flatiron and Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek areas. A representative from the Paonia Ranger <br />District was present for the inspection along with representatives from the West Elk Mine, the <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, and from the Office of Surface Mining, <br />Reclamation and Enforcement. <br />As part of the reclamation associated with this bond release, the West Elk Mine is asked to <br />reclaim the West Flatiron ATV Trail (Trail 720) back to a 50 inch running surface from the <br />24HG2E27XC exploration well location out to the 19- 04/19 -05 well pad (approximate). As part <br />of the travel management plan for the Gunnison National Forest, this trail is to remain open to <br />the public as an ATV trail after mining operations have ended. The West Elk Mine will not be <br />required to replace topsoil or to seed the 50 inch corridor that will remain open as an ATV trail. <br />In addition, it is requested that the West Elk Mine fully reclaim the access road from the E2 -34 <br />well pad up to the E2 -30.5 well pad including topsoil replacement and seeding, as this route will <br />not remain open to public use according to the direction in the travel management plan. <br />If you have any questions please contact Daniel Gray at (970) 527 -4131 ext. 4260 or via email at <br />degraygfs.fed.us. <br />Sincerely, <br />/40/4/111�� <br />LEVI K. BROYLES <br />District Ranger <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed onRecyGedPaper <br />W <br />