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Environmental Consultants, Inc. <br />March 1l. 2003 <br />Mr. Kent Gorham <br />Senior Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />215 Centennial Building <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, CO 80203-2273 <br />RECEBVED <br />MAR 1 ~ 1003. <br />Givision of Minerals and Geulo~y <br />RE: Response to Questions on New Elk Revegetation Success Study <br />Dear Mr. Gorham: <br />We have reviewed your questions related to the 1992 Reclamation Area, Revegetation Success <br />Study, New Elk Mine #C-81-012 (dated December 2, 2002). The following responses have been <br />developed to address your comments. <br />1. What were the actual soil depths of the sampled locations on the survey (reclaimed) urea? <br />The report indicates that 4 of the S samples were less than 12 inches in depth. Since the purpose <br />of the study is ultimately to reduce cover depths on the two waste piles at the New Elk mine, the <br />actual topsoil depth is of interest. <br />According to the original reclamation specifications, the 1992 reclamation project involved <br />placement of a one-foot layer of topsoil (obtained from local debris fans) over the entire area. <br />However, as the report indicated, topsoil depths were less than 12 inches at 4 out of the 5 <br />locations sampled. Topsoil depth was estimated to be greater than 12 inches at one location. <br />Estimated topsoil depths at each sample location are summarized in Table 1. <br />Table 1 <br />To soil De the at Soil Sam le Collection Locations <br />Map ID# Lab# Sample ID# Estimated Topsoil <br />Depth (inches) <br />SS1 R451 # 16 10 <br />SS2 R456 Ce1164 11 <br />SS3 R453 # 64 11 <br />SS4 R454 # 87 8 <br />SSS R455 Ce1128 ]6 <br />SS6 R452 # 18 8 <br />5231 South Quebec Street • Greenwood Village, Colorado 8011 l <br />Phone (303) 850-0930 • Fax (303) 721-9298 <br />Web Si[e: www.greystone-consultants.com • E-mail: greys[one@greystone-consul[ants.com <br />