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OPEN SPACE & TRAILS DEPARTMENT <br /> SUMMIT COUNTY 970.668.4060 ph 1 970.668.4225 f 0037 Peak One Dr. 1 PO Box 5660 <br /> COLORADO www.SummitCountyCO.gov Frisco,CO 80443 <br /> March 18, 2016 <br /> Mr. Eric Scott <br /> Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br /> Denver, CO 80203 <br /> via email:eric.scott@state.co.us <br /> RE: REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL REVISION <br /> Mine Name: Swan River Resource <br /> Mine ID# M-1993-035 <br /> Location: Summit County <br /> Dear Mr. Scott, <br /> Please let this letter serve as an application for a Technical Revision (TR) under Rule 1.9.I from Summit County <br /> Government for a modification to the post-mining reclamation plan for the Swan River Resource (Regular 112 <br /> operation permit no. M-1993-035).The approved post-mining land use of the Swan River Resource is wildlife <br /> habitat/rangeland.As referenced in Banks and Gesso's August 3, 2007 letter to the Division of Reclamation, Mining <br /> and Safety (DRMS), one of the primary objectives of the future reclamation plan is to modify the existing Swan <br /> River channel alignment to a more natural meandering course and to restore the adjacent riparian boundary. Over <br /> the last several years, since the Succession of Operators (SO) process was completed on November 25, 2008, <br /> Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge have worked to import clean topsoil for use in the reclamation <br /> process and solicit funding to implement the long term restoration reclamation goal of a restored stream channel <br /> and riparian corridor.We are now prepared to act on the documented DRMS requirement stated in an August 20, <br /> 2007 letter that such changes to the reclamation plan will need to be filed as a revision to the permit. Please accept <br /> this letter as a formal request to DRMS to revise the current reclamation approach for the Swan River Resource. <br /> Existing Conditions within the Permit Boundary <br /> Much of the site comprising the Swan River Resource was heavily impacted by dredge boat mining in the early <br /> 900's, which left the valley bottom virtually devoid of any natural resource function or value. Dredging was <br /> completed to an unknown depth (estimated to at least 30 feet) throughout the Swan River Valley as well as the <br /> nearby Blue River Valley. Dredge spoils remaining within the permit boundary typically consisting of cobble sized <br /> materials left in piles that extend approximately 25 feet above the surrounding valley floor. The Swan River <br /> Resource and upper valley are generally devoid of natural vegetation and ecological function as a result of past <br /> mining activities. Sporadic pockets of shrubs or young trees may exist near the existing Swan River channel or <br /> where groundwater surfaces. In recent years Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge have removed <br /> much of the dredge material from western end of the permit boundary for offsite commercial use. <br /> Restoration of the entire valley bottom and new channel alignment within the Swan River Resource will require <br /> extensive earthwork and contouring. Heavy equipment will contour the existing landscape to reestablish <br /> appropriate valley shape, landforms and achieve appropriate elevations for groundwater interactions. <br />