Laserfiche WebLink
INTRODUCTION <br />.........».._._ ,.., i ~`.~wv:3.12`3;.. ic. :-•r., ':&.i~c "m~Ptwr3 nr_>~=,~a:;::' ~:X <br />Kaiser Ventures, Inc. (Kaiser) is submitting this information as a request to the Colorado Division of <br />Minerals and Geology (CDMG) for approval of year 2002 sampling event data (yeaz 10 since initial <br />seeding) for Phase III bond release on the Alluvial Valley Floor (AVF) Reclaimed Area at Kaiser's <br />Chimney Rock Mine (Permit No. C-81-023). An area is eligible for Phase III bond release when Phase I <br />and Phase II bond release has been granted; the fulfillment of the ten year liability period since initial <br />seeding; documentation of revegetation success; proof of post mining land use capability; and a minimum <br />of five years since the last seeding, fertilization, and rill and gully repair which proves that erosion has <br />been demonstratively controlled. Kaiser believes it has met all these conditions on the AVF Reclaimed <br />Area. The Dryland Reclaimed Areas were not sampled in 2002 due to severe drought conditions on the <br />site and is not included in this application for Phase III bond release. <br />The Chimney Rock Mine is a relatively small surface coal mine located in Archuleta County off State <br />Highway I51, approximately 17 miles southwest of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The mine is in Sections 29 <br />and 30, Township 34 North, Range 4 West, with a permit area of 187.5 acres. <br />Reclamation of the disturbed mine site (1 ] 0 acres) was completed in several phases. Each phase involved <br />backfilling, recontouring, redistributing topsoil, seeding and mulching of the pit and facilities areas. The <br />AVF Reclaimed Area covers a total of 16 acres, including the facilities area. The reclamation areas within <br />the AVF Area, including acreage and corresponding date of completion, are displayed on Figures 1 and <br />2. <br />Kaiser was eligible for Phase I bond release upon completion of reclamation. Consequently, during late <br />1991, Kaiser filed an application with the CDMG for Phase I bond release. Release of $420,000 was <br />granted during mid-1992. This release reduced the bond amount to $320,000. <br />Kaiser was eligible for Phase II bond release upon establishment of appropriate vegetation cover and <br />proving that erosion was demonstratively controlled. Kaiser filed an application for Phase II bond release <br />in October 1996. Release of $200,000 was granted on July 22, 1997. This release reduced the remaining <br />bond amount to $120,000. <br />The AVF Reclaimed Area covers approximately fourteen percent (16 acres) of the total reclaimed area <br />extent (110 acres) Pending approval of this report, Kaiser requests that fourteen percent ($16,800) of the <br />remaining bond liability be released. This will reduce the remaining bond liability from $120,000 to <br />$103,200. <br />The following sections provide information that supports approval of Phase III bond release for the AVF <br />Reclaimed Area. The discussion focuses on documentation of revegetation success criteria and capability <br />of the reclaimed area for post mining land use. The surface and groundwater quantity and quality impact <br />analysis, including the collected 2002 data, is included in Appendix B. Public notification and proof of <br />publication is included in Appendix C. This report describes site conditions as of the end of the ten year <br />liability period. <br />