Laserfiche WebLink
<br />t ~~'"s <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />Devld H. Getchea Executive Director <br />MINED LAND RECLAMATION DI\ <br />DAVID C. SNELTON, Diroetor <br />Richard D. Lamm <br />Governor <br />September 3, 1986 <br />Mr. Tommy D. Raye <br />Western Fuels-Utah, Inc. <br />405 Urban Street, Suite No. 305 <br />Lakewood, Colorado 80228 <br />Re: Vegetation Test Plots <br />Dear Mr. Raye: <br />The Division has received Western Fuels' August 15, 1986 letter regarding a <br />proposal to develop revegetation test plots to determine the most effective <br />reclamation procedures for steep south-facing slopes. Our staff feels that <br />this is a worthwhile endeavor and, if designed properly, should produce some <br />valuable, site specific data regarding how best to achieve vegetative slope <br />stabilization on harsh sites. <br />An area of primary concern at the mine has been and continues to be the steep <br />south facing fill slope at the rail loadout facility. As you may recall, both <br />the Bureau of Land Management and Mined Land Reclamation Division have in the <br />past been concerned about how to provide adequate erosion protection along <br />this slope. The resolution of this concern in 1984 was to install various <br />sediment control structures at the base of the slope. Vegetative <br />stabilization on the slope itself appeared to be unfeasible at the time due to <br />the extremely harsh condition of the fill slope, i. e. saline/sodic/clayey <br />soils, 8" annual precipitation, southern exposure and steep angle of repose. <br />The development of a series of revegetation test plots on this slope that are <br />designed to evaluate different plant species, mulching techniques and soil <br />amendments will greatly facilitate determining whether successful interim <br />revegetation of such a harsh site is feasible. <br />Given the size and condition of the fill slope, it may be prudent to develop <br />single seed mix containing a wide variety of preferred species and test the <br />same seed mix under a series of alternative mulch treatments and soil <br />amendments. Before finalizing the seed mix, the Division suggests that <br />Western Fuels contact Dan Mathews and Mike Savage at the Division offices to <br />obtain information on what specific grass, forb, and shrub species would be <br />best suited to the test site. Also, Wendell Hassel, plant materials <br />specialist with the SCS Denver office (964-8476) and Sam Stranathan, manager <br />of the Meeker Plant Center (878-5003) may be able to provide additional <br />information regarding commercially available plant species well suited to the <br />test site. <br />423 Centennial Building. 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />~ III IIIIIIIIilllllll <br />