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RECEIVED NOV p q ~gg~ <br />S p a n i s1h P e a k s- P u r g a t o i r e R i v e r <br />S o i l C o n s e r v a t i o n D i s t r i c t <br />President-Stan Barron; Vice-Pres-Gary Nill; Secretary-Warren McDonald; Treasurer-Tom Hiller; Members-Albert Blasi, Albert <br />pobinsoo, end Willieo IBilll Wilkinson; Advisors-Jim Healey, Carl Young <br />c/o 422 East First Street, Trinidad, CO. 81082 <br />October 28, 1997 <br />T0: Allen S. Weaver, Mine Engineer <br />Energy Fuels Coal, Inc. <br />P.O. Box 449 <br />Florence, CO 81226 <br />SUBJECT: Reclamation - Raton Creek Mine <br />As per your request, Kenn Lutz, Resource Conservationist with MRCS, <br />completed a visual on-site evaluation of the reclamation activities at the <br />Raton Creek Mine location. He reports that over-all it appears that a <br />successful reclamation project is well under way. The findings are <br />summarized below. <br />Soil Erosion <br />Some minor sheet and rill erosion is occuring on the steeper slopes. Soil <br />loss on this area appears to be less than that occuring on adjacent un- <br />mined areas. Present soil loss rates are well within acceptable limits for <br />the site. <br />Active gully erosion is limited to one location on the steep north side of <br />the reclaimed area. The proposed corrective measures planned will take <br />care of this problem. As the present vegetation matures, soil loss from <br />sheet and rill erosion will be reduced. <br />Vegetation Establishment <br />The vegetative community appears to be a diverse mix of native grasses and <br />an introduced forb (titer milkvetch). Excellent germination and <br />establishment are apparent on both topsoiled and non-topsoiled locations. <br />Given the fact that there has been just two growing seasons since planting, <br />the response is exceptional considering soil and micro climatic conditions <br />of the site. It is suggested that at least one more normal growing season <br />occur prior to any quantative vegetation analysis. This will allow for <br />mature development of established seedlings whose growth rate has been <br />reduced by the adverse growing conditions of the site. According to NRCS <br />range site information, the vegetative basal area for this site should be <br />20-25 percent. It appears that this will be exceeded providing conditions <br />r.:a - '~ <br />