REP02912

• Permit No: C1981020
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 9/19/2005
• Doc Name: 2004 ARR Review Letter
• From: DMG
• To: Lodestar Energy
• Permit Index Doc Type: Annual Reclamation Report
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
September 19, 2005
Walter Whitledge
Lodestar Energy, Inc.
P.O. Box 98
Loma, CO 81524
COLORADO
D IV1510N OF
MINERALS
GEOLOGY
REC LANATION•1'11N ING
SAFETY•SCIEN CE
Bill Owens
Governor
Russell George
Executive Director
Ronald W. Cottony
Division Director
Re: McClane Canyon Mine (Permit No. C-1980-004) Natural Resource Trustee
Munger Canyon Mine (Permit No. C-1981-020)
2004 Annual Reclamation Reports
Dear Mr. Whitledge:
This letter is to acknowledge the timely submittal of the 2004 annual reclamation reports for the McClane and
Munger Canyon Mines ~ The reports were adequate as submitted, and conform with applicable regulatory
requirements. '
Although not specifically related to the Annual Reclamation Report information, in reviewing the approved
reclamation plans in both the McClane and Munger permits, the Division has noted that neither permit contains a
specific plan for the management of noxious weeds on disturbed surface areas within the permit areas. Several
invasive weedy species are present in the mine permit areas, including three species that are designated as noxious
weeds in both Garfield and Mesa County (whitetop or hoary cress, Russian knapweed, and Canada thistle).
Whitetop has been a' concern at both McClane and Munger Canyon mine sites, Russian knapweed has been a
concern at the Loma Loadout, and both Canada thistle and Russian knapweed have recently been noted along the
Munger access road. In addition to the designated noxious species mentioned, downy brome (cheatgrass), an
invasive annual Bass has become established on the topsoil stockpile at McClane. Use of topsoil from the
stockpile containing cheatgrass seed would likely result in the establishment of cheatgrass on reclaimed areas in
the future. We aze aware that control efforts have been applied in the past for whitetop and Russian knapweed, but
we believe that the control plans, including methods, timing, products, and chemical application rates should be set
forth in the reclamation plan sections of the permit applications.
The Mined Land Reclamation Board recently approved a rules amendment package, to become effective later this
year. The amendments include new Rule 4.15.1(5). The rule states:
Each operator shall submit a weed management plan that will become part of the permit requirements.
Species to be considered shall be noxious weeds as set forth in the permit The plan shall also address
invasion of other weed species that seriously threaten the continued development of desired vegetation.
Weed control methods shall also be used whenever the inhabitation of the disturbed area by weeds
threatens further spread of weeds to nearby areas.