Laserfiche WebLink
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />This yeaz (2006) represents the tenth yeaz of the extended liability period after initial <br />revegetation for the Eastside Mine. As required by Colorado Division of Minerals and <br />Geology (CDMG) regulations, coal mining operations must demonstrate that the <br />vegetation established on reclaimed areas of coal mines support the approved post-mining <br />land use and meet the approved success standazd for vegetation cover prior to final Phase <br />III bond release. This yeaz's vegetation sampling represents the first of two years of <br />sampling required prior to final liability and reclamation bond release. The Eastside <br />Mine was last sampled for vegetation in 2000, when Eastside Coal applied for, and <br />received Phase II bond release from CDMG. Results from this yeaz's vegetation sampling <br />at the Eastside Mine revealed that the vegetation of the reclaimed area exceeded the final <br />revegetation success criterion (total vegetation cover) for the mine. Further, the state of <br />development of vegetation at the mine shows that the permittee has established a diverse, <br />effective, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety as the original <br />vegetation. <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />This vegetation report represents the first of two vegetation sampling events prior to <br />application for final Phase III bond and liability release for the Eastside Mine (Colorado <br />Division of Minerals and Geology pemut C-84-063) owned by Eastside Coal Company. <br />Information in this report addresses the vegetative condition of the reclaimed azea at the <br />mine. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology requires quantitative vegetation <br />sampling and reporting as a demonstration of successful revegetation establishment prior <br />to Phase III bond release. Vegetation sampling was performed in compliance with <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd Surface Coal Mining Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15 <br />and current botanical and plant ecological methods. Field sampling was conducted June <br />12 and 13, 2006 by Michael Savage of Savage and Savage, Inc. <br />The Eastside Mine is located in Garfield County, Colorado, approximately 3.5 miles <br />north of Silt, Colorado and is accessed by Garfield County Road 237 (Figure 1). The <br />current Eastside Mine was operated for coal extraction from 1983 to 1995. Prior to <br />mining by Eastside Coal Company, coal mining occurred from the late 1800's until 1979 <br />in this location. The reclaimed area sampled this year was backfilled, graded, topsoiled, <br />and seeded in 1995 in accordance with the approved mining and reclamation plan. The <br />revegetation standazds used to evaluate these areas are those currently in effect under the <br />Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 34-33-101 et seq) and the Eastside <br />Mining and Reclamation Permit (C-84-063). <br />Eastside Coal Company Eastsfde Mine Page 1 <br />2006 Vegetation Sampling Report <br />