REV95068

• Permit No: C1982057
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 2/25/2003
• Doc Name: Response to Division Verbal Comments ‎(9/5/02)‎
• From: Seneca Coal Company
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: PR3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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s coatocm,~enr Seneca Coal Company
Febmary 24, 2003
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Mr. Dan Matthews
Division of Minerals and Geology Ae
101 South 3~ Suite 301. CgtVer
Grand Junction, CO 81501 FEB
[phone] _ (~ ./y,_~~ ~ 5
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RE: Seneca II-W Mine Pemut C-82-057, PR-03 ~,- "'a/js 0/yy,_
Response to Division Verbal Comments (9/5/02) ~+~'L~°'
Deaz Mr. Matthews:
On September 5, 2002, representatives from the Division, DOW, and SCC meet at Seneca's office
to discuss the revegetation plan submitted in Permit Revision (PR) 03. The discussion focused on
potential reestablishment and mitigative measures that could be undertaken by SCC to reestablish
and enhance aspen habitat in the mine area.
General consensus among the meeting attendees is [hat reestablishment of aspen habitat within the
reclaimed areas will be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Therefore, it was decided that
SCC would evaluate two different approaches to reestablishing or improving aspen habitat eithu
on-SCC property or within the reclaimed areas.
First -inventory undisturbed aspen habitat within the permit azea and determine if controlled
burning mightimprove select aspen stands,
Second - Contact Dr. Wayne Shepperd, Rocky Mountain Reseazch Station, for
suggestions/recommendations on aspen reestablishment.
After evaluating the alternatives, SCC with the assistance of Rocky Mountain Reseazch Station
(RMRS), proposes to investigate reestablishment of aspen in a series of sequential experiments to
be conducted in a test plot in reclaimed ground at Seneca II-W.
During the Sept. 5~^ meeting and discussion, Mr. Dan Matthews (Division) raised questions and
requested permit revisions concerning the proposed revegetation plan. Following is a list of SCC's
understanding of Mr. Matthews's comments and SCC's corresponding responses.
Comment 1-The Ditdsion requests that SCC commit to fencing all shrub plots to protect
them for deer and elk grazing.
Response: SCC will commit to fencing the more sensitive planting sites, which includes the
proposed aspen test plot and 6 tall shrvb sites (Gambel Oak), in [he II-W south azea. The fencing
will be constructed such that elk and deer cannot gain access to the planting sites.
The specific tall shrub planting sites to be fenced will be determined at the time of planting. The
currently proposed planting sites aze shown on Exhibit 22-1A, Postmining Vegetation Map - II-W
South Mining Area.
Seneca Coal Company • P.O. box 670 . Hayden, Colorado 81639
Telephone [phone] • FAX [phone]