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1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />In 1992, approximately 11.9 acres of coal waste from the Allen Mine were reclaimed by the State of <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG) at what is now known as the New Elk Mine. <br />The effort included reclamation of coal piles placed in the river floodplain and re-construction of an <br />irrigation conveyance system that was impacted by the coal piles. <br />Greystone Environmental Consultants, Inc. (Greystone) was retained by Pickewire Processing, LLC <br />(Picketwire) to evaluate the overall revegetation success of the 1992 reclamation project. A portion <br />of the reclaimed area (Figure 1) was surveyed to document the current vegetation cover, <br />productivity, woody plant density, and species diversity. Soil samples were also collected to <br />document the properties of topsoil used in the reclamation effort and to identify potential nutrient <br />deficiencies. The results of the survey were used to determine whether the area would meet <br />revegetation success criteria and bond release requirements as identified in the New Elk Mine permit <br />(Mine Permit). Based on the results of this study, recommendations were also developed for future <br />reclamation programs. <br />1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND <br />The CDMG has recently expressed concern over the need to reclaim a portion of the development <br />waste pile located at the New Elk Mine. The CDMG asked that Picketwire reclaim the outslope of <br />the pile in accordance with their current Mine Permit (Permit No. C-81-012). This study was <br />conducted to determine whether four feet of material, as established under the Mine Permit, will be <br />required to establish vegetation that will meet bond release requirements. <br />In developing the reclamation plan for the Mine Permit, Picketwire originally considered conducting <br />a reseazch program to determine the amount of soil required for revegetation of disturbed azeas. At <br />the time of permit submission, Picketwire decided to commit to placement of four feet ofnon-toxic <br />material, including topsoil, instead of conducting the research program. Since that time, Picketwire <br />has found that the quantity of material required for reclamation is not available in the immediate <br />vicinity of the mine. Obtaining the required volume is not considered economically feasible because <br />this material would have to be trucked to the site from outside sources. The option of establishment <br />of reclamation test plots is also not considered feasible because the study results would not be <br />available for several years. <br />As a result, Picketwire proposes to evaluate the revegation success of a site reclaimed in 1992. This <br />reclaimed site, located on the New Elk property just north of the Prep Plant and south of Highway 12 <br />(Figure 1), was reclaimed under the supervision of CDMG. A study of the revegetation success of <br />the 1992 reclaimed site offers several advantages. First, the area was reclaimed almost 10 years ago, <br />and therefore allows for evaluation of the long-term revegetation success without delaying the <br />reclamation work. In addition, the project involved placement of approximately one foot of topsoil <br />material. The study will help to determine whether one foot of topsoil material over coal waste piles <br />can adequately support vegetation. <br />Revege~afion5urveyRcport-RPr(626)Revl.doGSeplember 6, 2001 <br />