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_f~ _~~~ <br />:_~..,/~ <br />Western Fuels-Colorado <br />P.O. Bax 628 <br />Nucla, Colorado 81424 <br />Telephone 970/664-2165 <br />Fax 970/864-2168 <br />February 4, 2008 <br />V~~~~~ <br />F~~ _~J~~~{erg <br />Mr MtKe lfoutay <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman St, Room 21 S <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />,:-~ ~~°°~ s° <br />,~ <br />`~ F~B`~0~~~@~8 <br />1 l ~~ ~ ~~`i-~ -~' u~'~ ~4 ~ ~Y <br />RE: Response to DRMS concerning topsoil salvage and redistribution, pre-mine land <br />use, post-mine land use and successful reclamation. New Horizon Mine, Permit NO. <br />C-81-008 <br />Dear Mr. Boulay: <br />This response was jointly .prepared by Western Fuels and Greg Lewicki and <br />Associates. After reviewing the protest letters for the recently withdrawn TR-55, we <br />have spent considerable time reviewing the pre-mine topsoil data, topsoil volume <br />calculations topsoil replacement specrfications, pre-mine land use, pre-mine irrigation <br />management practices, water availability for post-mine irrigation, post-mine land use <br />designations, and reclamation success standards. <br />We would like the Division to be aware of the following items prior to a round table <br />discussion that we would like to set up concerning the issues at large. WFC fully <br />realizes that there are a significant number of issues that need to be resolved. <br />1) There is some concern that the topsoil stripping depths outlined in the baseline <br />study from 1998 for the permit amendment, and included in permit Section 2.04.9 are <br />overly optimistic since there is evidence of some rock ledges and other thin areas <br />which are not acxounted for in any of the soil samples on site. The soil stripping <br />volumes are based on only those samples shown on Map 2.04.9-1 Soil Baseline <br />Map, which include none of those poor locations. Without these locations included, <br />the average soil depths estimated appear to be too high. This is home out by some <br />of the locations that are actually being stripped on the west side of 2700 Road. This <br />Page 1 of 10 <br />