Laserfiche WebLink
Westem Fuels -Colorado <br />P.O. Box 628 <br />Nucla, CO 81424 <br />970-864-2165 <br />New Horizon <br />C-81-008 <br />7/12/99 <br />Special focus evaluation -topsoil conservation <br />Mitch Rollings, 370, OSM <br />Harry Ranney, DMG <br />Ross Gubka, Western Fuels <br />The purpose of this evaluation was to conduct a topsoil conservation special focus evaluation and <br />to follow-up on a blasting off-site damage NOV issued by DMG. <br />Topsoil: <br />Recovery: Westem Fuels (WF) has two identified post mining land uses, irrigated pasture and <br />dryland pasture. The topsoil recovery requirements for these two azeas differ. For irrigated <br />pasture, WF is required to separate the material into two lifts. Liftl consists of the A and upper <br />B horizons. Lift 2 consists of the lower B and C horizons. For dryland pasture, WF is allowed to <br />pick-up and store the A, B, and C horizons together. <br />Topsoil depths are found in permit Volume 2, tables 2.05.4(2)(d)-1 and 2 and 2.04.9-1. The <br />tables give an average depth of topsoil. As is typical in most mining operations, WF recovers <br />most topsoil in the draws and lower azeas of the undulating topography because the ridge tops <br />can be barren of topsoil. <br />We looked at the topsoil strip line in advance of mining and observed azeas where only six inches <br />had been removed and areas where about four feet of topsoil had been removed. <br />Stocl~iles: Stockpile locations aze defined in the permit on map 2.05.3-1. WF live handles <br />topsoil to the extent possible. <br />Topsoil stockpiles aze protected by a constructed berm at the toe and vegetation. The following <br />defines revegetation requirements for completed stockpiles: <br /><90 days - no revegetation <br />90 to 180 days -annual revegetation seed mix <br />>180 days -perennial seed mix <br />Five stockpiles exist; one Lift 1 pile, one Lift 2 pile, and three mixed piles. <br />