Laserfiche WebLink
further records research and consult with BLM (surface landowner) to resolve certnin <br />questions regarding road reclamation requirements. <br />Questions regarding the adequacy of road reclamation was raised with respect to the following <br />locations: <br />PCC-04 and OS access road road stabilized by vegetation but not completely obliterated). <br />PCC-10 access road not fully obliterated from end of permanent road tojunction of PCC-10 <br />reclaimed road with PCC-9 reclaimed road. <br />PCC-01 road not completely obliterated. <br />PCC-02 access road initial segment not completely obliterated. <br />There were no erosional problems noted with regard to the road segments mentioned, but grading <br />had not completely eliminated the roads in some locations. The operator was duetted to contact <br />BLM, the surface land management agency, regarding their opinion on the need for further <br />reclamation work. <br />The January 7, 1998 letter from Catherine Robertson of BLM Grand Junction Resource Area to <br />Larry Reschke (then with Powderhorn Coal Company), documents an inspection conducted by <br />Bruce Fowler and Dave Trappett of BLM, on September 3, 1997. In the letter, Ms. Robertson <br />states that "the inspection included three access roads to drill holes identified as PCC-OI through <br />PCC-10..." Specific comments regarding BLM's desire for further reclamation work on the road <br />segments in question include the following: <br />This access (ro PCC-lO) has been identified for use in the Grand Mesa Slopes recreation <br />plan and therefore we do not want arty additional reclamation completed on this access. <br />The reclamation requirements for [the access road to PCC-4 and SJ was to install <br />waterbars and to seed it. This work has been completed Vegetation has been established <br />and additional reclamation would be counter productive as i! would cause additional <br />unnecessary erosion. BLM does no! want any additional disturbance to occur on this <br />reclaimed area. <br />This road (the access to PCC-01 through 03J has been reclaimed to the requirements of <br />the approved plan. Specifically, BLM requested !trot the portion ojthe access road south <br />and west ojthe South Portals [actually, the 2-West Portals) be left in place and nor <br />recontovred... This was requested to facilitate livestock management. Therefore, the <br />BLM does not want arty additional reclamation completed on this access road. <br />In summary, the BLM in their letter indicated their satisfaction with each of the road segments identified as <br />possibly needing additional reclamation work by DMG. BLM specifically requested that no further <br />reclamation work be performed on these roads, and they identified no additional concerns regarding <br />reclamation of the roads or drill pads. This determination was re-affirmed by Dave Trappett and Bruce <br />Fowler of BLM, during the bond release inspection on August 14, 2001. Based on the 1997 inspections <br />conducted by DMG and BLM, it was determined that no further inspection of the sites was warranted at <br />this time. Further, based on those inspections and BLM's satisfaction with the reclamation conducted, it is <br />my conclusion that drill hole sealing, drill sitebackfilling, and drill site access road reclamation associated <br />with sites PCC-Ol through PCC-] 0 was satisfactorily completed and qualifies for Phase I bond release. <br />One additional drill site (G WMS-03) was approved under the South Lease Exploration Plan, and the drill <br />hole was sealed. However two additional monitoring wells were drilled at this location, and reclamation of <br />this site will not occur until the monitoring is terminated and the wells (GWMS 03a and 03b) are sealed <br />(see Item 56 of the current cost estimate). <br />Adequacy Item 8 requested additional documentation including approved and existing cross sections and <br />documentation of compliance with construction and reclamation requirements associated with the <br />reclaimed benches of CRDA-I and CRDA-2, for which Phase 1 bond release was requested. <br />