Laserfiche WebLink
Mountain Coal Company <br />West Elk Mine <br />Post Olfice Box 591 <br />Somerset, Colorado 81434 <br />Telephone 970-929-5015 <br />September 23, 1997 <br />RECEIVED <br />SEP 2 6 1997 <br />III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <br />999 <br />/\ <br />DiviSicn c. i~:~~~erais rx (ieelc~y <br />Mr. Michael Boulay <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />RE: Minor Revision No. 227 (Revised Temporary Seed Mix); West Elk Mine; <br />Permit No. C-80-007 <br />Dear Mike: <br />Mountain Coal Company (MCC) requests a minor revision to revise the temporary <br />seed mix currently in the permit with a new temporary stabilization seed mix. <br />Redlined revised permit pages have been enclosed, which include the new temporary <br />seed mix. <br />The purpose of the temporary stabilization seed mix is to provide a good vegetative <br />cover quickly, to control erosion and sediment. The grasses and fortis presented in <br />revised Table 39, have been specifically chosen to control erosion, as they are fast <br />growing, have a large root and shoot mass and are cool season, which tend to be <br />more successful at the elevation and location of the West Elk Mine. <br />The temporary stabilization seed mix will only be utilized on disturbed areas, which <br />have been removed of topsoil, during the operation of the mine. MCC will continue <br />to use the permanent seed mix as listed in Table 37 for topsoil piles and final <br />reclamation areas. <br />The permit has also been revised to include the use of a sterile cereal grain nurse crop. <br />The nurse crop will germinate rapidly, providing cover and shade for the developing <br />seed mix, while protecting the slopes from erosion and sediment loss. It is seeded at <br />the same time (or prior to) the desired seed mix. It then dies back, allowing the <br />desired seed mix to proliferate. At this time, MCC plans to utilize the nurse crop at <br />the Material Storage Bench. <br />MCC would appreciate the Division's immediate review and approval of this revision, <br />as the revised seed mix will need to be ordered in time to plant this fall. MCC is <br />prepared to discuss with the Division, over the telephone or at your office, any <br />