1999-05-25_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981042

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STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver,Colorado 80203 tIN ION O F Phone:(303)866-3567 E RA L S FAX:(303)832-8106 & GEOLOGY RECLAMATION MINING-SAFETY Date: May 25, 1999 Bill Owens Governor Greg E.Walcher To: Michael Long Executive Director Michael B.Long From: David Berry Division Director Re: Revoked Site Remediation Project—Severance Tax Expenditure During Fiscal year 1998-1999, the Coal Program received $190,000 in Severance Tax monies to conduct additional reclamation work at six coal mine sites where previous permit revocation and bond forfeiture occurred. It is my recommendation that we use most of the monies at only four of the six originally designated sites. I make this recommendation based upon field conditions at the sites; however, I look to your advice as to whether we made previous commitments which restrict our flexibility in shuffling the project priorities and expenditures. Our Department of Natural Resources, FY 98-99, Severance Tax Budget Request (Request) is attached for your.review. The coal sites and dollar amount per site discussed in the Request are as follows: Hawk's Nest C-�q&-mo- $30,000 Z a Arness-McGriffen - $5,000-- C-tq*t-na z -0 3-1 - $50,000 L� 1�1 Sunlight---O 8t-C)A� - $5,000—fre-F Ee��-1c19Z-o-1y - $50,000- 50,o00 (�?? Jewel-G-�A`1LP -o q5 - $50,000. During February of this year, I reviewed each of these sites in the field. It is my opinion that most of the $190,000 should be devoted to four sites as discussed below. Hawk's Nest—The site should receive top priority due to its proximity to the North Fork of the Gunnison River, and due to its immediate visibility and access from State Highway 133. The site exhibits a significant noxious weed problem, erosional instability and a significant lack of growth medium and vegetation at the East Mine area. In addition, hazards exist in the form of protruding'roof bolts and rebar materials. We have expended considerable effort this year in an attempt to locate reasonably priced growth medium, though an inexpensive source has not been located. We probably need significantly more than $30,000 to properly address this site.