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:: <br />monitor conditions and perfornt emergency maintenance as necessary. Drainage maintenance <br />was performed rapidly following the storms, as conditions allowed. The operator took the <br />initiative to replace one l8" road culvert which had become blocked with debris during the <br />August storm with a 30" culvert. The new culvert passed the high flows and debris produced by <br />the September storm, with no blockage or overtopping. <br />The operator's commitment to maintaining on-the-ground compliance, anticipation of potential <br />problems and initiative in implementing measures to improve environmental protection is <br />exemplary. <br />Reclaimed Mines <br />Tomahawk Mine <br />The operator, Quinn Coal Company, is deserving of recognition for their commitment to site <br />maintenance and environmental compliance at the Tomahawk Mine located on the south slope of <br />the Grand Mesa, near Cedazedge. The 105 acre disturbed area was seeded with the permanent <br />seedmix in 1990. Based on successful completion of backfilling and grading operations, Phase <br />I bond release was approved in 1993, and all sediment ponds and temporary ditches, roads, and <br />facilities were removed in 1994. Phase II bond release was approved in 1995 based on <br />successful establishment of seeded vegetation, which has proven to be effective in stabilizing <br />steep reclaimed slopes with minimal erosion. <br />The reclaimed area is developing into a relatively diverse wildlife habitat, with grassland areas <br />interspersed with patches of volunteerjuniper and seeded four-wing saltbush and rabbitbrush <br />shrubs. Seep areas along the lower slopes in two Fortner sediment pond locations are developing <br />into small wetlands, with cattails, rushes, willows and associated vegetation. Other sediment <br />pond locations were planted with upland shrub species to further etthance the potential of the site <br />for wildlife use. Elk, mule deer, and wild turkey are commonly observed on the reclaimed area. <br />The operator has aggressively managed infestations of noxious weeds including whitetop, <br />knapweed, and Canada thistle. Prompt efforts to control small patches before they spread and <br />persistent efforts to eradicate treated stands has kept the major portion of the reclaimed area <br />relatively free of noxious weeds, which are abundant along roadsides and in pastures in the <br />vicinity of the mine. Isolated areas of erosion have been promptly addressed through interim <br />stabilization measures to allow for establishment of stabilizing vegetation. In one location, a <br />permanent riprap channel segment was constructed along an ephemeral drainage which had <br />experienced downcutting following elimination of upland diversion ditches. <br />The operator's performance in conducting reclamation contemporaneously and in fulfillment of <br />postntine landuse objectives, obtaining interim bond release, and maintaining the site to ensure <br />environmental protection and reclamation success is exemplary. <br />cc: Larry Routten me\97cmawrd.mem <br />