Laserfiche WebLink
1.0 INTRODUCTION <br /> This report presents the results of the 2019 (first year of the required two years) quantitative <br /> vegetation sampling in support of a request for Phase III final bond release for eligible <br /> reclaimed sites within the West Bench, Sylvester Gulch, Shaft Canyon Road, and Saddle <br /> Road reclamation areas (2019 Reclamation Areas) above the West Elk Mine main facilities <br /> (CDRMS permit C-1980-007) owned and operated by MCC. Quantitative vegetative <br /> sampling is required by CDRMS whenever a permittee requests a release from liability <br /> and/or reclamation bond in Phase III of the bond release process. Vegetation sampling was <br /> performed in compliance with the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation <br /> Board for Coal Minim Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15 at the time of sampling and current botanical <br /> and plant ecological methods. Field sampling for the areas monitored was conducted <br /> between June 16 and 21, 2019 by Savage and Savage, Inc. biologists. <br /> The West Elk Mine site is located in Gunnison and Delta Counties, Colorado, approximately <br /> 1.8 miles east of Somerset, Colorado and is accessed by Colorado Highway 133. MCC has <br /> operated the West Elk Mine since 1981. The reclamation areas sampled this year are located <br /> solely in Gunnison County. Reclaimed sites sampled in 2019 were backfilled, graded, <br /> topsoiled, and revegetated in accordance with the approved mining and reclamation plan. <br /> The reclaimed sites sampled this year were formerly drill sites and access roads constructed <br /> for coal exploration and mine ventilation. Reclamation activities took place between 2004 <br /> and 2008 for the areas sampled this year, and included plugging of the drill holes, backfilling <br /> and regrading the drill sites and roads, replacing topsoil, reseeding and mulching, and <br /> installing erosion control materials. <br /> The revegetation standards used to evaluate these areas are those currently in effect under the <br /> Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 34-33-101 et seq) and the West Elk <br /> Mining and Reclamation Permit(C-1980-007). <br /> Mountain Coal Company,LLC West Elk Mine Page 2 <br /> 2019 Vegetation Report:West Bench,Sylvester Gulch,Shaft Canyon Road,and Saddle Road Reclamation Areas <br />