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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866-3567 <br />FAX: (303) 832-8106 <br />COLORADO <br />DIVISION O F <br />MIN SRALS <br />GEOLOGY <br />0.ECEAMATION•MINING <br /> Bill Owens <br /> Governor <br /> <br />September 27, 2005 Russell George <br />Executive Director <br /> Ronald W. Cattany <br />Mr. Roy Kazo Division Director <br />Reclamation Manager Natural Resource Trustee <br />Seneca Coal Company <br />P.O. Box 670 <br />Hayden, CO 81639 <br />Re: 2004 Revegetation Monitoring Report Review <br />Yoast Mine, Permit No. C-94-082 <br />On March 31, 2005, the Division received the 2004 Revegetation Monitoring Report for the <br />Yoast Mine prepared by ESCO Associates, Inc. The Division has reviewed the Revegetation <br />Monitoring Report and in conjunction with this also reviewed sections of the 2004 Annual <br />Reclamation Report (ARR), pertinent to topsoil and revegetation. The Division commented on <br />the 2004 ARR in a letter dated August 19, 2005. The Division has the following comments with <br />respect to the Annual Revegetation Report and two additional comments regarding the 2004 <br />ARR. <br />2004 Annual Revegetation Report <br />The Annual Revegetation Report is thorough, detailed and informative, and appears to <br />fully comply with permit requirements. The sampled azeas were seeded in 2002, so it is <br />too early to draw meaningful conclusions regarding the potential for the areas to <br />ultimately meet the applicable success standards. The area is dominated by annual weedy <br />species, but this is expected for a second year stand, and the annual component typically <br />fades as the slower developing seeded perennials become established. A few things to <br />keep an eye on as the stand develops include the low initial shrub presence, and the <br />significant presence of noxious species including Canada thistle, houndstongue, and bull <br />thistle. The follow-up sampling conducted in two to four years will provide insight <br />regarding successional trends. <br />One apparent mistake was noted that should be corrected. On Map 1, 200A Revegetation <br />Monitoring Locations, the legend identifies the delineated sampled azea as "1997 <br />Reclamation". Presumably, this is actually the 2002 reclamation. Please submit an <br />appropriately amended version of the map. <br />Office of Office of Colorado <br />Mined Land Reclamation Active and Inactive Mines Geological Survey <br />