Laserfiche WebLink
alluvial valley floor (AVF) that has been documented in the azea. Colowyo must also <br />provide a detailed plan for the restoration of the AVF if and when it is disturbed. This <br />analysis may be in the form of a stand-alone revision or it may be contained in the revision <br />required in Stipulation 3. Any revision submitted must be approved by the Division prior to <br />any disturbance. This stipulation is a future compliance issue that will need to be <br />addressed prior to any mining in the Lower Wilson Area. <br />Response: As previously agreed upon by Colowyo and the Division during Permit Revision 02, Colowyo <br />will provide an analysis and discussion of the AVF in the Wilson Creek area. This will be <br />addressed prior to commencing any mining in the Lower Wilson area. <br />4. The Division received a comment letter from the Division of Wildlife (DOW) on 5 <br />July 2007 regarding the reclamation at the Colowyo Mine which directly relates to <br />Stipulation 8. A copy of this letter is attached for your review. The DOW is concerned with <br />current and future reclamation activities at the mine and their impacts on the wildlife in the <br />area. The DOW has detailed three items of primary concern, as listed below. <br />a. Reclamation efforts need to continue to focus on reestablishment of shrub <br />community primarily consisting of Gambel's oak, serviceberry and sagebrush. <br />b. Reclamation efforts should consider incorporating innovative approaches such <br />as varying topsoil depths depending on desired plant communities <br />c. Reclamation efforts should focus on developing natural snow-holding sites <br />and varying contour and topography within the area. <br />All of these items have been at least preliminazily discussed and they will need to be <br />incorporated into the Technical Revision due no later than 15 March 2008. The Division <br />looks forward to meeting with Colowyo and DOW regarding the new reclamation plan so the <br />adequacy process can proceed in a timely manner and the revised plan can begin to be <br />implemented in the 2008 reclamation yeaz. <br />Response: As stated during the cooperative meeting of September 24, due to hydrological realities with <br />respect to the viability of attempts to reestablish Gambel Oak, serviceberry and aspen, <br />planning efforts will be focused towards the reestablishment of shrub communities consisting <br />of sagebrush/grassland. This focus will highlight management emphasis on the development <br />of additional areas that could be utilized more effectively for sage grouse communities in <br />concert with the post mine land use of rangeland. It is Colowyo 's intention to utilize varying <br />topsoil depths in conjunction with slope/aspect factors and targeted seed mixes to encourage <br />plant community diversity. Colowyo Mine recently received approval for a new PMT which <br />incorporated geojluvial design and increased drainage diversity to act as the improved <br />platform for reclamation activities. Additionally, please see response to comment g. <br />5. In conjunction with Stipulation 8 above, another outstanding revegetation issue at the <br />Colowyo Mine is shrub establishment on the East Pit and Section 16 Pit areas that have <br />approved standard, of 1,000 stems/acre, is currently not achievable on the older reclamation <br />given the topsoil thickness and heavy grass dominance. The shrub reestablishment is critical <br />to achieving the appropriate post-mining land-use and final (Phase III) boned release on the <br />areas. Resolution of a shrub reestablishment standard in the East Pit and Section 16 Pit areas <br />is necessary before Colowyo will be eligible for any Phase III bond release. <br />