REV01469

• Permit No: C1982055
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 5/20/1997
• Doc Name: RATON CREEK MINE C-82-055 PERMIT RENEWAL 3
• From: DMG
• To: KENT GORHAM
• Type & Sequence: RN3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•

STATE •

OF iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
999
COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Depanmenl of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman 51 ,Room ?15

Denver. Colorado 80203 ~I~

Phone: [phone] I
FAX: [phone]
May 20
1997 DEPARTMENT OF
, NATURAL
To: Kent Gorham RESOURCES
Roy Romer
From: Janet Binn eovernnr
lames S. Lochhead
Eaecueve Direcor
Re: Raton Creek me, C-82-055, Permit Renewal No. 3. M¢nae~ s. Long
Division Director
I have reviewed the Raton Creek Mine Permit for compliance w ith Rules :
2.08.5, 2.04.9 Soils Resources, 2.04.10 Vegetation Information, 2.04.12 Prime Farmland,
2.05.4(2)(b) Reclamation Cost Estimate, 2.05.4(2)(d) Topsoil Redistribution, and
2.05.4(2)(e) Revegetation.
These are my following comments or concerns:
Rule 2.04.9: SCS Range Site Descriptions for the Raton Creek Mine area typify the habitat type
as Loamy Foothill (#202), Rocky Foothill or Shaley foothill Range site. This translates to the
primary soil types found in this area should support a predominantly grassland community with a
mix of cool and warm season grasses. Forbs and shrub species will be secondary in importance.
Basal vegetative cover measures approximately 25%. Range site is well adapted to grazing by
cattle and horses. Permit section 2.04.9 is in compliance with this Rule.
Rule 2.04.10, Vegetation Information is found on pages 215-337 of the permit. Energy Fuels
proposes not to use reference areas. No known Threatened or Endangered species or Species of
Concern are known to inhabit this site. A Pinyon Juniper community dominates the steeper
slopes while "bottom land" is typical of the lower valley floor. The bottom land in this location
is comprised of previously disturbed grassland. This permit section is in compliance with Rule
2.04.10.
Rule 2.04.12: A letter from [he Soil Conservation Service Trinidad District Office, dated April 9,
1982 confirms that there are no Prime Farmlands located within the Permit area. This
determination was based upon the steep slopes, shallow soils and gravelly soil textures. This
permit section is in accordance with Rule 2.04.12.
Rule 2.05.4(2)(d): Topsoil Redistribution. Energy Fuels replaced 4.5 inch thickness of soil on
11.3 acres of reclaimed refuse azea and backfilled portal area. This left no soil on the remaining
17.3 acres of backfilled high wall and Eastern portion of the reclaimed refuse area. Energy Fuels
undertook a Topsoil Substitute Sampling Study and presented the results to the Division on
October 31, 1994. Samples RC-5 through RC-8, all exhibited greater than 50% coarse