2008-04-18_REPORT - M1977004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pitch Reclamation Project Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board 2007 Annual Reclamation Report 3.0 RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES IN 2007 During 2007, reclamation activities at the Pitch site focused on iwo primary areas: 1) transplanting of Cattails in the constructed wetlands area (area in the vicinity of the dismantled RTP, including the stream channel) and the adjacent slope located to the southeast of the drainage channel,', and 2) the grading and seeding of the cover on the Tie Camp Creek Disposal Cell. ~ Noxious weed control (Canadian Thistle) was performed during 2007 and will continue in future years. All work was conducted in accordance with applicable conditions in the Radioactive Materials License and the Pitch Reclamation Project Procedures Manual. 3.1 Constructed Wetlands Area and Adjacent Slope Reclamation activities in 2007 'Iconsisted of improvements to the constructed wetlands area (area of the old RTP building and the adjacent drainage). The former site of the RTP was backfilled and recontoured in 2001, with grading and initial revegetation in 2002. These activities included the steep embankment behind the former RTP site, where the area was graded to reduce the slope and prevent sloughing. Reclamation in the area has consisted of recontouring to facilitate improved sedimentation control and to stabilize the slope adjacent to and down gradient from the site. Activities have included construction of small dikes in the drainage to allow the creation of small sedimentation basins followed by the placement of timber slash in the drainage to retard flow velocity and to trap sediment forming a wetlands type condition. Since 2002, stabilization measures have included planting of 1,100 lodge pole pines, and 200 spruce trees on the contoured area and planting of 500 lodge pole pine and 200 Douglas fir seedlings on the slope opposite the constructed wetlands area. In 2006, a significant number of fatalities were observed among trees planted during previous seasons on the slope opposite the constructed wetlands area. Theses dead trees were replaced with approximately 400 new lodge pole seedlings. The 2006 work included placement of several large rocks and rock material across the lowed end of the constructed wetlands area to further enhance sediment control and prevent previously placed tree slash from washing to the trash racks during thunderstorm events. In 2007, transplanting of cattails was undertaken on an experimental basis. The success of the experiment will be noted in 2008.