2006-12-13_REVISION - M1977129 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~dENT F T H o w m N 9' ~ a 3 16~~ United States Department of the [nterior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGED4E~1'[' Grand Junction Field Office 2815 H Rd Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 www.co.blm.gov/gjra/gjra. html ~_ TetK ~NAMERICA 3600 (CO-130) UtG `L 6 COOti Steve Shuey Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety 101 South 3'~ Street, Suite 301 - --_ - -Grand.Junction,_Colorado 81501 _ -_ _ _ Re: Whitewater Pit 500 -Partial Release i/ DRMS Permit # M-1977-129 ~ Deaz Mr. Shuey, December 6, 2006 Division of ;.~,:amation, Mining and Saiery RECEIVED DEC 1 3 2006 GRAND JUNCTION FIELD OFFICE DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING & SAFETY By letter dated November 29, 2006, Whitewater Building Materials Corp. requested a partial release from reclamation responsibilities on the referenced permit. The area is known as Stages X, Y, and 1, and consists of a large pond and adjacent upland area to the west, located along the Gunnison River near Whitewater. Most of this area was purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) on behalf of the Endangered Fish Recovery Program. In 2006, the parcel was transferred from BOR to BLM, and is now under the jurisdiction of this office. Under a memo of understanding signed in 2005, BLM works in cooperation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to ensure that BLM activities do not adversely affect the endangered fishes while allowing FWS to conduct activities that benefit the Fish Recovery Program. The area designated for reclamation encompasses about 23 acres, which includes a small area just southeast of the pond, the slope area west of the pond, and the former cattle feeding azea. These areas were pocked and seeded in October 2004 in accordance with BLM recommendations. In order fo keep cattle off the reclaimed area over the long-term, including access to the pond, a fence was constructed along the south boundary. A gap was left in the fence along the southeast side of the pond to allow cattle access to water when they are feeding on the adjacent private land during the winter. Initial vegetation establishment across the site began in 2005. A joint inspection was conducted on September 28, 2006, which showed that many of the plants have matured, indicating successful revegetation. Overall vegetative cover and diversity is very good, with an established and sustainable plant cover of Indian ricegrass, s[reambank wheatgass, and fourwing saltbush. In addition, the percentage of perennial vegetative cover within the reclaimed azea is higher than the adjacent non-mined lands. There are no significant erosion problems, and the inflow/outflow structures and pond embankments appear to be stable.