Laserfiche WebLink
<br />~~~ ~ CDM <br />environmental engineers, sCrenlislS, <br />planners, 8 management cMSUllants <br />22 May 1978 <br />Ms. Margaret A. Koperski <br /> <br />CAMP DRESSER R McKEE INC. <br />Environmemal Sciences Division <br />11455 Wesl 481h Avenue <br />Wheat Ritlge. Coloratlo 80033 <br />303 422-0469 <br />Reclamation Specialist RE: Rockcastle Company <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Grassy Creek Coal Co. Mine No.l <br />1313 Sherman Street, Suite 723 Routt County <br />Denver, CO 80203 Your file #78-45 <br />Dear Maggie: <br />This letter is intended to answer questions you had regarding the Rockcastle <br />Company's operation. Three areas are addressed: (1) negative determination <br />of prime farmland, (2) establishment of reference areas, and (3) maximum <br />highwall depth at each mining pit. <br />(1) Section 716.7 (d) of the federal surface mining regulations states that <br />the land shall not be considered prime farmland if the lands have been used <br />for the production of cultivated crops for less that 5 years out of the <br />preceeding 20 years. The lands have never been used for the production of <br />cultivated crops. Furthermore, the land within the permit area is not <br />irrigated or naturally subirrigated and has no developed water supply. <br />Therefore, the lands are not classified prime farmland. <br />(2) Four reference areas per vegetation type (see Exhibit J for delineation <br />of the three vegetation types within the permit area) will be marked by <br />stakes at each corner of a 15m x 25m plot. These plots will not be fenced, <br />disturbed, or in any way prevented from normal use. Their sole purpose <br />is to provide a reference area to compare reclamation success at the end <br />of the mine life. The attached sheet marks the general locations of the <br />reference areas. <br />(3) The highwall depth at each pit location can <br />yards of overburden to be moved, the tonnage of <br />the acreage of the disturbed areas. Assuming t~ <br />height of the highwalls will occur within ± 20~ <br />the material removed, the variation in highwall <br />are given below. <br />be calculated from the cubic <br />coal to be recovered, and <br />iat the maximum and minimum <br />of the average depth of <br />heights at each mining pit <br />Pit E 36 - 54 feet <br />Pit D 33 - 50 feet <br />Pit C 43 - 65 feet <br />Pit B 24 - 36 feet <br />Pit A 27 - 40 feet <br />Calculations showing average heights at each pit are attached. <br />