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BEFORE THE MINED LAND RECLAMATION BOARD <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND ORDER <br />IN THE MATTER OF THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF RECLAMATION DEADLINE FOR <br />GEORGLA-PACIFIC CORP., COALDALE QUARRY SITE, FILE NO. M-1977-247. <br />THIS MATTER came before the Mined Land Reclamation Board on September 18, 2002 at Denver, <br />Colorado for hearing to consider the request of Georgia-Pacific Corp. (Operator) for an extension of the <br />deadline to finish reclamation, in accordance with C.R.S. § 34-32.5-112(6). Ken Klco of Azurite, Inc., the <br />Operator's reclamation consultant, appeazed on behalf of the Applicant. James Dillie appeared on behalf of the <br />Division. The Board, having considered the positions of the parties, and having been otherwise fully informed <br />in the premises, hereby finds and concludes as follows: <br />FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW <br />1. The Operator operates a Section 112 surface gypsum mine known as the Coaldale Quarry Site, which is <br />located in Section 32, T48N, R11E, N.M.P.M., Fremont County, Colorado. This operation has affected <br />approximately one hundred acres. <br />2. Reclamation of the Coaldale Quarry is scheduled to be complete on September 24, 2002, in accordance <br />with this Boazd's September 25, 1997 Order extending the deadline for reclamation. <br />3. To date, the Operator has conducted reclamation including highwall removal and stabilization, re- <br />grading, equipment removal, road removal and revegetation. However, additional time is necessary to <br />make sure there is a self sustaining and diverse vegetative cover on all affected azeas. <br />4. The delay in revegetation is largely attributable to poor precipitation in this azea over the past five years. <br />5. The Division confirms this progress and recommends an extension. <br />6. C.R.S. § 34-32.5-112(6) provides that reclamation shall be completed within five years after mineral <br />extraction has been completed. However, this deadline may be extended by the Boazd upon a finding <br />that additional time is necessary for the completion of the terms of the reclamation plan. <br />It is undisputed that reclamation is not complete, and that additional time is necessary to complete the <br />terms of the reclamation plan. It is also undisputed that the Operator has been conducting reclamation <br />