REV94431

• Permit No: C1981032
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 11/13/1992
• Doc Name: MEMO MEEKER MINES PHASE II BOND RELEASE APPLICATION C-81-032
• From: DMG
• To: SUSAN MORRISON
• Type & Sequence: SL1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman 51., Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: [phone]
FA%: [phone]
DATE: November 13, 1992
TO: Susan Morrison
FROM: Larry Routten
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Roy Romer
Governor
Michael 6. Lnng
D iv i~ion Direcbr
RE: Meeker Mines Phase II Bond Release Application (C-81-032)
I have reviewed the vegetation data in the Phase II bond release
application package submitted by Enron for the Meeker Mines. Janet
Binns and I collected vegetative cover data at the mine on July 13
and 14, 1992 which I used in my review. Matt Hayes collected cover
data for Enron on July 7-9, 1992, just one week before the
Division's sampling. Mr. Hayes sampled the Reinau Mine, the refuse
area and the portion of the Northern No. 1 mine area west of the
mine access road. Enron has requested Phase II bond release on
those three areas.
Based on Enron's and DMG's cover data, I agree with Enron's
contention that the portions of the Meeker Mines for which bond
release is requested meet the Phase II revegetation success
standard (vegetative cover) identified in the Meeker permit. It is
also evident that the vegetation on the reclaimed areas meets the
diversity standard in the permit, as well. There are very few
woody plants established on the site. This is, in part, due to
weed control efforts undertaken by Enron (in conjunction with the
Rio Blanco County Wed Control District) to control leafy spurge..
Furthermore, based upon the lab analysis of discharge from the
Northern Mine sediment pond, observations by DMG and Greg Lewicki
of sediment accumulation in the sed ponds over the past years, the
evidence submitted by Mr. Lewicki in regard to those ponds and, the
lack of erosion problems at the site over past years, I agree that
the reclaimed areas are not contributing suspended solids to
streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of levels on
adjacent unmined areas.
I recommend that the Division release 25$ of the original bond held
for the Meeker Mines, assuming that the remaining bond is adequate
to cover remaining reclamation work.
The remainder of this memo is a discussion of my review of the
vegetation data submitted by Enron.