|
1
<br />INTRODUCTION
<br />' Slurco Corporation is submitting a request to the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology
<br />(CDMG) for Phase III bond release at the Canadian Strip Mine (Permit No. C-81-026). An area
<br />is eligible for Phase III bond release when Phase I bond release has been granted, the fulfillment
<br />of the ten year liability period since initial seeding, documentation of revegetation success, proof
<br />of post mining land use capability, a minimum of five years since the last seeding, ferti]ization,
<br />' and rill and gully repair has been conducted on the area. Slurco believes it has met these
<br />conditions.
<br />' The Canadian Strip Mine is a relatively small surface coal mine located approximately 12 miles
<br />east of Walden, Colorado. The permit area occupies approximately 155 acres in portions of
<br />Sections 2, 10, and 11 of Township 8 North, Range 78 West (Figure 1). The mine was operated
<br />' between 1978 to mid 1984. Reclamation of the disturbance began in 1979 in the Phase I area and
<br />ended in 1987 in the Phase N area. The sediment control system was reclaimed in 1991 with the
<br />removal of Pond 3 and all diversion ditches. Ponds 1 and 2 were retained as permanent
<br />impoundments to enhance the post mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat.
<br />' Reclamation of the disturbed mine site was completed in two periods. The first phase involved
<br />approximately 24 acres along the northern permit boundary in Phases I, II and III (Figure 1).
<br />Activities consisted of backfilling, recontouring, redistributing topsoil, seeding, and mulching.
<br />' These three Phases were completed during 1979, 1980, and 1981, respectively.
<br />The second period involved approximately 57 acres in the Phase IV area, immediately south of
<br />' the Phase I, II, and III areas (Figure 1). Activities in the Phase IV area included backfilling the
<br />pit, recontouring, drainage corridor construction, sedimentation pond construction, redistributing
<br />topsoil, seeding, and mulching. This phase of reclamation was completed during 1987.
<br />' Slurco was eligible for Phase I bond release upon completion of backfilling, grading, topsoiling,
<br />seeding, and mulching. Consequently, on December 18, 1987, Slurco filed an application with
<br />' the CDMG for Phase I bond release. Release of $447,870 was granted on December 22, 1988.
<br />This release reduced the remaining bond amount to $298,580 from the original bond of $746,450.
<br />Slurco was eligible for Phase II bond release upon successful establishment of approved vegetation
<br />species with relative cover of at least 90 percent of the reference area and erosion control on
<br />reclaimed areas. A total of $63,448 was released for partial Phase II on August 1, 1991 in the
<br />Phase I, II, and III areas, and $123,164 was released for partial Phase II on December 21, 1995
<br />in the Phase IV area.
<br />' Slurco formally applied and received approval for Phase III bond release at the loadout site in
<br />Walden in March 1997. A total of $11,362 was released bringing the remaining total bond
<br />amount to $100,606.
<br />
<br />' 98bondp3.091\Augu9 4, 1998 I
<br />
|