Laserfiche WebLink
<br />History <br />The Center Ridge Area of the Edna mine was mined and reclaimed under 1969, <br />1973 and 1976 Reclamation Acts. These areas are delineated on Exhibit 1 which <br />was submitted with the November 18, 1989 bond release application. An <br />inspection report by the Division on June 15 and 17, 1983 discussed <br />Center Ridge badcfilling, grading and vegetation. In general P&M's work was <br />described as "a good job" and "in many areas, they reclaimed beyond what was <br />required." However, in the "Cr" Area which was mined under the 1976 act an <br />actively eroding gully was noted that extended from the crest to the base of <br />the ridge. This gully was over four feet deep in places and over 1,000 feet <br />long. Further south in the same area west of the shop there were several <br />active gullies approximately two feet deep. These features appeared to be the <br />result of breaching contour furrows. Gully formation was also evident in the <br />Center Ridge Area on the west and east sides of the ridge above the old haul <br />road. Slumping was noted along the east side of Center Ridge above a draw. <br />Some tension cracks were noted above this slump. The 1976 Act requires that <br />"all surface areas must be stabilized to control erosion and air and water <br />pollution." The Division requested that all these erosional features be <br />stabilized. <br />On September 21, 1983 P8M submitted a stabilization plan for repair of these <br />erosion features. P&M indicated that the slump was prelaw, dating from the <br />1950's. Documentation with photographs confirmed this claim. The <br />stabilization was approved and subsequently implemented by P&M. In a letter <br />from the Division dated April 27, 1984, the above mentioned repairs were <br />judged to be completed properly. Therefore a bond release of E1 ,622 ,000 was <br />granted. However, the Division retained 520,000 of the bond to ensure that <br />stabilization of this area was effective. <br />Evaluation <br />The standards of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act of 1976 are the <br />applicable standards in this area. These standards require that grading be <br />appropriate to serve post-mining land use, surface areas had to be stabilized <br />to control erosion and air and water pollution. Revegetation was to establish <br />a diverse, effective and long lasting cover. Finally, the liability period <br />was to extend for 5 years. <br />With these standards in mind the Center Ridge area was inspected and <br />evaluated. The Division's inspection on May 9, 1990 indicated that erosional <br />gullying had not reoccurred. The area is well vegetated with a diverse, <br />effective, and long-lasting community of grasses and shrubs. Backfilling of <br />the Center Ridge site and grading of the slopes was conducted in accordance <br />with the originally approved plan. Monitoring by Mined Land Reclamation <br />Division and the company indicate that the badcfilled and graded areas are in <br />a stable configuration. The reclamation success of this area is satisfactory <br />and in compliance with State rules and regulations with no pollution of <br />surface or subsurface water occurring as described in Rule 3.03.2(2). The <br />Division believes that the Center Ridge is at a stage in its reclamation where <br />future erosional impacts have been minimized with little chance of its <br />reoccurrence. The post mining land use of livestock grazing and wildlife <br />habitat has been achieved. The 5 year liability period has elapsed therefore <br />this area is eligible for consideration for final bond release. <br />-2- <br />