GENERAL36457 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I. Introduction This report has been prepared in support of an application for release of liability for the 4.1-acre mined area south of County Road 120 within the permit area of the Blue Flame Mine (Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology permit C-1981-053). This document describes the former vegetative condition of this area, and depicts data collected during the summer of 2003. The 2003 vegetative sampling was required and performed by the Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) to release liability by demonstrating that the reclaimed mine area's vegetation has been successfully re-established and reclaimed. Vegetation sampling was performed in compliance with Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Surface Coal Mining Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15 and documented ~lant ecological methods. The Division's employees conducted field sampling on July 9` and July 10'h. The Blue Flame Mine is located in La Plata County, Colorado, approximately five miles southwest of Hesperus, Colorado. The Blue Flame Mine was a small underground mine operated by L&L Energy (Lewis & Lobato). In October 1990, the MLRB forfeited their bond in the amount of $41,600.00. Third party contractors were hired to reclaim the site in 1993. Follow-up weed spraying was conducted in 1994 and 1995. The reclamation has been very successful. The revegetation standazds used to evaluate these areas are those currently in effect under the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 33-34-101 et seq). The majority of the area disturbed by the surface coal mining operations was previously disturbed (mining activities date back to the 1950's) with no topsoil material salvaged or stockpiled. Since the permitted areas affected are less than 4.1 acres, including the access roads, a foreign but acceptable topsoil material was acquired and applied. Blue Flame imported from outside sources approximately 4,400 cubic yards of topsoil to be used as a plant growth medium. This allowed Blue Flame to distribute approximately eight inches of topsoil over the regraded areas. Before distribution, the topsoil was analyzed for the required parameters and the results submitted to the Division. II. III. Methods Timing Field sampling was performed on July 9'h and 10'h 2003. This time period coincided with maximum vegetative growth potential and development of the majority of plant species found in both the native vegetation community and the reclaimed area to be evaluated. Vegetation sampling locations, dates, and methods were established by the Division prior to fieldwork. I