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pond, the Division needs a letter from the landowner stating their wishes to retain the <br />pond to support the post-mining land-use of grazing and wildlife habitat. If this is the <br />landowner's wish, the Division will perform a suitability analysis to determine if the <br />pond can remain. If the landowner does not want the pond to remain, the Division will <br />schedule to have it removed. <br />The second issue deals with vegetation sampling. The Division's Rules basically state <br />that all revegetation must pass certain criteria, including percent cover, species diversity, <br />production and woody-plant density. Sampling must be conducted in the final two yeazs <br />of the extended liability period (usually years 9 and 10) to determine reclamation success. <br />To that end, the Division needs to get a team out to the site and perform this sampling. <br />The sampling will only be conducted on the 3.2 disturbed acres that were reseeded (not <br />the entire 88.5 acre permit boundary). The optimal time to perform this sampling is in <br />eazly summer. It would be ideal for sampling if the Castleton Ranch would commit to <br />not grazing the azea prior to sampling. The Division will notify the Ranch in advance of <br />the planned sampling activities. Vegetation sampling usually takes two or three days and <br />has a minimal impact on the vegetation. Following the sampling, the Ranch can graze <br />the property as they desire. <br />I have enclosed a copy of the mine area map for your reference and I look forward to <br />heazing from you on the above issues. Please feel free to call me if you have any <br />questions or concerns. I can be reached at (303) 866-4929. <br />Sincerely, <br />~~~~ <br />=- <br />James R. Stark <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />