REV94304

• Permit No: C1984063
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 9/27/2004
• Doc Name: Revegetation Plan Review Memo
• From: Dan Mathews
• To: Jim Stark
• Type & Sequence: RN4
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department o(Natural Resources
7 313 Sherman 5L, Room 215 C ~ L ~~ D ~
Denver, Colorado 80203 DIVISION O F
IVt I N
RA L S
Phone: [phone] S
FAX: [phone] G); ~ L Q (~ ]'
RECLAMATION•MINING
SAFETT~SCIEN CE
DATE: September 27, 2004
Bill Owens
TO: Jim Stark covernGr

Russell George
FROM: Dan Mathews Executive Direcor
Ronald W. Cattany
RE: Eastside Mine Revegetation Plan Review Division Director
RN-04 Natural Resource trustee
Permit No. C-84-063
Jim, per your request I have reviewed the Eastside Mine revegetation plan requirements,
focusing on revegetation success criteria and success demonstration methods proposed for
Phase III bond release. I also visited the site to view the reclamation on the afternoon of
September 24, 2004. I reviewed various documents including the vegetation baseline and
reclamation plan sections of the permit application, the Division's March 2000 RN-03
Findings of Compliance, the Division's August 2001 Proposed Decision and Findings for
Phase II Bond Release (SL-021, the operator's Phase II bond release application and the
associated 2000 Quantitative Vegetation Study, Phase // Bcnd Re/ease (Savage and
Savage, Inc., June 2000).
Based on my review of the referenced materials and site inspection, it appears that
revegetation operations have resulted in the establishment of a relatively diverse, effective
cover of seeded species and desirable native colonizers, It is likely that the established
vegetation will meet the applicable success criteria for Phase III bond release. Minor
clarification of Phase III bond release revegetation success demonstration methods appears
to be warranted. Give me a call if you have any questions.
Site Inspection Observations
The major portion of the reclaimed area (excluding the sediment pond location} was seeded
in 1995. An affective, productive, and relatively diverse community dominated by perennial
shrubs and grasses has become established. The prominent shrub component is dominated
by big sagebrush and rubber rabbitbrush, which apparently volunteered from seed sources
adjacent to the site, as neither species was included in the approved seedmix. There is a
vigorous grass understory, heavily dominated by intermediate wheatgrass, which was a
component of the seedmix. Other common species observed include western wheatgrass,
Indian ricegrass, a species of bluegrass, cicer milkvetch, fringed sage, and shadscale
saltbush. Desirable perennial species dominate the stand, with minimal presence of annuals
or "weedy species". There appear to be multiple age classes of big sagebrush present,
indicative of successful regeneration. There is no evident erosion on the site, and the
permanent drainage is well vegetated and stable through the reclaimed area. The lower
riprapped steep segment of the channel appears to be in good condition.
The sediment pond disturbance area was apparently revegetated in 2002, As would be
expected for a stand in only its second growing season, perennial cover is lower in this
small area as compared to the older reclamation, and (as would also be expected) there is a
Office of Office of Colorado
Mined Land Reclamation Active and Inactive Mines Geological Survey