1995-07-18_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1984067

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July 18, 1995 TO: JIM McARDLE FROM: PAUL KRABACHER RE: COAL GULCH COAL BOND FORFEITURE PROJECT PERMIT #C84067 The Coal Gulch bond forfeiture project was initially bid out and awarded in late 1993. Mobilization occurred with very little work performed due to the frost levels and precipitation. Project work resumed in the Spring of 1994 and was delayed due to extraordinary precipitation. Project design originally consisted of backsloping all of the highwall cuts to approximate original contour with the waste that was created and moved to the southeast area adjacent to SH160. Also riprapped drainageways would be constructed at each natural upslope drainage location to direct flows into Coal Gulch. The actual revegetation plan also called for elaborate reseeding, mulching and other amendment efforts and the planting of tubling shrubs. Once the bid documents were downscaled to include the minimum earth moving and drainage construction portions it was realized that, after bids were received, insufficient funds still occurred requiring more downscaling efforts. After negotiations with the low bidder, Dirt-N-Iron, backsloping efforts would be reduced to leave approximate 20' highwalls (not incongruous with the natural cliff landscape) and drainages would be reduced or geofabric materials would be eliminated using on-site rock for lining. During project down time over the winter, a portion of the site at the entrance consisting of approximately 1.5 acres was purchased by a local contractor and was being used as a staging area for topsoil and organic debris (tree limbs, shrubs) as a result from road clearing operations. Coordination was needed for the locked gate. Project work proceeding during late Spring, 1994 without incident until an adjacent landowner requested that the waste/overburden stockpile be totally moved and his access road (Division of Wildlife's road) realigned according to pre-mining orientation. Ultimately the road was left in equal, if not better condition with minor water diversion and control construction performed under additional machine hours. The backsloping work was performed according to the revised negotiated specifications (to the 7,100' elevation) . The grades for the drainages were significantly low as to not continue drainage into Coal Gulch. It was discussed and approved with M. Long and other DMG personnel that a contained basin be constructed to ultimately perform as a wetlands. Drainages from mid site south were directed towards the existing pond. A drain pipe which extended from a previously sealed adit was extended with a riprap channel to the sediment pond. Revegetation was performed in the fall, 1994. The entire regraded areas were ripped parallel to contour. The entire area was left rough to accentuate successful revegetation. The entire site was fertilized (18-46-0) , seeded with a graminoid seed mix formulated from the permit, and was mulched using brome/fescue hay, species specific mulch obtained from a seed grower and road clearing organic debris as mentioned above. An early spring 1995 visit showed initial success with revegetation. Both ponds were being used by aquatic fowl.