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,,, September 22, 1992 Mr. Dan Mathews Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 215 Centennial Building 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Re: C-81-019, 09/02/92 Inspection Report Dear Dan, III IIIIIIIIilllllll 5731 State Highway 13 Meeker, Colorado 81641 (303) 824-4451 RE~%~t ~;~, ;; S,EP 241992 DIV151G;~ ~; MINERALS 8 ~EL,r c..,;v y The purpose of this letter is to comment on a number of issues raised by the Division in the 09/02/92 inspection report. 1. Colowyo agrees completely with the Division that woody vegetation showed severe browsing impacts from deer, elk and rodents. We do not, however, totally agree with the Division's statement that "in most of the areas that woody stem densities were very low and the grass competition was driving the shrubs out". To more accurately describe the processes occurring on the reclaimed lands, the Division should have more correctly noted that wildlife browsing may be the predominant factor affecting woody plant establishment rather than grass competition. 2. Colowyo agrees with the Division that the fenced enclosure was quite successful in establishing woody stems of significant size. In fact, some species of sage are taller, healthier and more robust in the enclosure than anywhere else on the reclaimed area. This supports our argument that browsing may be the primary factor affecting woody plant establishment. 3. The Division states incorrectly in the report that "the reclaimed areas will have problems meeting woody stem densities using the methods of seeding and planting utilized up to this date". Unfortunately, the reader is led to believe that the seeding and planting methods are inappropriate or ineffective in themselves at establishing woody plants, and the lack of woody plants can be attributed to the use of these methods.