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Environmental Planners. Scientists and Engineers <br />May 5, 1998 <br />~iECEIVED <br />MAY 0 7 ~ggg <br />Kent Gorham <br />Environmental Protection Specialist Division of Minerals 8 GeobgY <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Mr. Gorham: <br />Kaiser Ventures Inc. (Kaiser) is submitting the following vegetation sampling protocol to comply with <br />CDMG guidelines pertaining to Phase III bond release applications. Kaiser proposes to conduct <br />vegetation sampling in June of 1998 at the Colorado Coal Mine No. ] (CCM#I), Permit Number C- <br />81-024. Based on information contained in the Permit and Technical Revision TR-09, operations <br />were designated as reclamation only in 1989. Consequently, 49 acres were reclaimed within the test <br />pit and ancillary structures area, completing reclamation activities and initiating the ten year bond <br />Lability period. In accordance with Rule 4.15.7(5), revegetation success criteria shall be met in years <br />tune and ten of the bond Lability period. Therefore, Kaiser proposes to conduct vegetation sampling <br />in June of 1998 and 1999, years nine and ten of the bond liability period, respectively. Vegetative <br />cover, production, and species composition will be evaluated on the 73.5 acres of mine disturbance <br />area. <br />The CCM #1 is a relatively small surface coal mine located in Huerfano County off State Highway 69, <br />approximately 3 miles west of the Walsenburg exit oft interstate 25. The mine is in Sections 25 and <br />36, Township 27 South, Range 67 West. <br />Reclamation of the disturbed mine site was completed in two phases. The first phase involved <br />bacl~'illing, recontouring, redistributing topsoil, seeding and mulching of the pit and structure areas. <br />Drainage controls were established and there have been no erosion problems on the reclaimed areas. <br />This phase of reclamation was completed during November 1989. <br />The second phase of reclamation involved regrading of the upper end of the upland diversion, <br />removal and reclamation of the A and B sediment ponds, and reclamation of the diversion ditches <br />which tamed surface water to the ponds. Activities included backfilling, recontouring, redistributing <br />topsoil, seeding and mulching. This phase of the reclamation was completed during February 1992. <br />Kaiser was eligible for Phase I bond release upon completion of mine related reclamation activities. <br />Consequently, on July 30, 1990, Kaiser filed an application with the CDMG for Phase I bond release. <br />5331 South Quebec Street • Greenwood Village. Colorado 801 I I <br />Phone (303) 350.0930 • Fax (303) 73I-9393 <br />