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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 Paor ia, CO 51428 <br />970-527-4131 <br />File Code: 2820 <br />Date: May 23, 2013 <br />Brock Bowles <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />CDRMS <br />1313 Sherman St, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Brock, <br />In reviewing the Adequacy Review letters for Oxbow Mining LLC's (Oxbow) application for <br />Permit Renewal No. 6, the Grand Mesa -Uncompahgre -Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) <br />wanted to comment in regard to Rule 4.25.8(7) with respect to CDRMS's woody plant standard. <br />Because of the large amount of existing woody plant species in the area of the Elk Creek Mine <br />disturbances, we have not included a woody stem option in our District Seed Mix for the <br />elevation zone associated with the mine operation. <br />With respect to the GMUG, open spaces and grass meadows are at a premium, and seed mixes <br />with only grass and forbs species help us meet our Management Prescriptions (Wildlife habitat) <br />and desired post -mining land use for that area. A copy of our District Seed Mix is attached for <br />your records. The Paonia District's seed mix is consistent across current mine operations. <br />Past experience has shown the woody stem species encroach relatively quickly back into the <br />reclaimed areas, and a requirement to add woody stems into would further speed the decrease in <br />open space. <br />If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Taylor at 970-527-4131, or via email at <br />rztaylor(.eTfs.fed.us . <br />Sincerely, <br />T E <br />I�Vfii BRO EYL S <br />District Ranger <br />cc: Kiger, Jim <br />USS ow <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper W <br />