2008-10-06_PERMIT FILE - X200822901

• Permit No: X200822901
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 10/6/2008
• Doc Name: Letter Regarding Soils
• From: DRMS
• To: Twentymile Coal Company
• Email Name: JHB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203 C O L O R A D O
Phone: [phone] DIVISION O F
RECLAMATION
FAX: [phone] MINING

SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
October 6, 2008 Governor
Harris D. Sherman

Mr. Scott Cowman Executive Director

Twentymile Coal Com
an Ronald W. Cattany
p
y Division Director
29515 Routt County Road 27 Natural Resource Trustee
Oak Creek, CO 80467
Re: Cow Camp Exploration holes X-2008-229-01
Dear Mr. Cowman:
On August 24, 2008, I accompanied you and Joe Shoemaker to 2 exploration site locations in the Cow Camp
exploration area. The two locations discussed, CCU 27 and CCU33, are located along ridge tops in dryland pasture.
The surface where both exploration holes are located has been disturbed by agricultural activities, i.e. seeding of
dryland pasture species. The ridgeline soils are thin and gravelly on the surface. Existing vegetation cover is
visually less on the ridgeline than on the adjacent slopes. The permittee inquired whether 18" of topsoil needed to
be salvaged over the entire exploration pad. The permittee's concern was related to the thin soils existing on the
ridgeline, and concern about disturbing more area than was necessary.
Rule 4.21.4(5) requires that prior to earthmoving or excavations of any type, A and B soil horizons are to be
salvaged and stored in an area that will not be disturbed. The permittee indicated that only the immediate area
surrounding the proposed drill hole locations and the area occupied by the proposed mud pits would be disturbed.
Observation of previously reclaimed drill pads in the vicinity confirms the less area needed to be disturbed by the
exploration activities results in the reclaimed area blending with the surrounding landscape more quickly. In
keeping with minimizing surface disturbances, the Division is in agreement that topsoil shall be salvaged on those
areas anticipated to be disturbed by the drilling activities. Since these areas have been previously disturbed by
agricultural activities, if there is no distinction between A and B horizon, the topsoil may be salvaged as a single
unit. All activities shall comply with Rule 4.21.
Please call me should you have additional questions.
Sincerely,

Ja et H. Binns
E vironmenta Protection Specialist
(3 )866-49 4
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines