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United States Department of Agriculture SOIL CONSERVATION 2625 Redwing Road, Suite 250 SERVICE Fort Collins, Colorado 80526 Subject: Mine Land Reclamation Plan Date: April 22, 1986 To: Leonard Loukonen ~r ee P,0. Box 333 ~CT g ~JUs Lyons, Colorado 80540 P~A~~'Ep LAP1D RECLp~,~iA a iO!°'9 Dear Mr . Loukonen : (;pip, pepl, ar i~7ntur~tl Re~our;.r. ; A site visit on approximately 6 acres in Section 15, T. 6 N., R. 70 W., was made on April 17,1986. The soils on the site are predominantly Baller-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes. The Rock-outcrop occurs in small areas throughout this unit and makes up less than 30 percent of the area. The Baller soil typically, is a shallow, well drained, stony sandy loam up to 11 inches deep. The soil material contains 25 to 60 percent stones and cobbles. Refer to the Larimer County Soil Survey for further information. About half of the area has been disturbed by previous rock mining activities. On the areas not disturbed by quarry activities native vegetation exists. The native plant species are in fair condition from past grazing use. The area has been protected from grazing in recent years and the native species are gradually improving. Mountain mahogany, american plum, and scattered ponderosa pine are the current overstory. The range site designation for this area is Shallow Foothills. In good condition, this range site should support big bluestem. little bluestem, sideoats grama, yellow indiangrass, GriFfith's wheatgrass, switchgrass, and mountain mahogany. The following are recommendations For site reclamation. To provide soil material for site reclamation, the existing shallow topsoil should be stockpiled. The stockpiled topsoil should be protected from wind and water erosion. If stockpiled soil will be stored for a long period of kime, it will be necessary to seed the soil with a permanent cover to protect from erosion. The reclamation work will requirel~'~Hing and reshaping the area to as near natural cotttours as possible. The steep rock faces left after rock mining should be terraced, where possible, to provide flatter areas for seeding. Small diameter rock spoil should be spread over the areas to be seeded and then covered with the stockpiled topsoil materials. Reclamation should being as quickly as possible after mining activities in the area cease. Excess water runoff from adjacent areas should be controlled to prevent washout of the reclaimed areas. Where possible mining activities should be concentrated to reduce the extent of disturbed areas and reclamation can be accomplished in phases as the mining activities move on.