Laserfiche WebLink
Pit during the 2008 reclamation year. The suspension of reclamation activities in this <br />area has affected the final completion schedule of the Prospect Ditch. The ditch must be <br />constructed in a logical manner and tied in properly to the approved Post Mine <br />Topography as reclamation progresses down the slope to the East. As Colowyo has <br />always done in the past, the Division will be provided with a full and complete as-built <br />design accompanied by all appropriate maps and descriptions as required by the Rules. <br />The delay in reclamation of the entire East Pit is a direct result of the value adding <br />Highwall Miner operation that was implemented at the end of the surface mine <br />progression. This delay in reclamation has forced Colowyo in a position that requires <br />reclamation to be completed in a relatively short duration, which is different from past <br />contemporaneous reclamation efforts. Colowyo made significant efforts to improve the <br />hydrological characteristics of the East Pit through the modifications made to the PMT <br />through TR-63. This submittal also included updated SEDCAD modeling for the <br />Prospect Pond and the contributing drainage areas. In an attempt to make up for <br />reclamation delays, Colowyo topsoiled and seeded approximately 87 acres in the East Pit <br />during 2007. Some localized rilling subsequently occurred during the winter of 2007 and <br />spring of 2008 caused in no small part to multiple high intensity moderate duration storm <br />events. Colowyo is in the process of adding small sediment control features within the <br />area to further reduce rill and sheet flow erosion potential. Areas of rough graded non- <br />topsoiled spoil have been stabilized and the majority of potential water flow intercepts <br />the East Pit and thus reduces the potential for spoil areas to contribute sediment to the <br />perimeter ditch and Prospect Pond. Cleanout activities are planned for the fall of 2008 <br />for Prospect Pond to restore as-built storage/treatment capacity. <br />On a related matter, due to the delay in approval of the new reclamation plan and Phase <br />III Bond Release Criteria, reclamation activities including topsoil placement is on hold. <br />This obviously creates a situation where any assumptions made with respect to <br />reclamation area progression would almost certainly change in the immediate future <br />under a subsequent revision. <br />This concludes Colowyo's responses to the Division's third preliminary adequacy review <br />of RN-05. <br />Colowyo Mine • 5731 State Highway 13 • Meeker, Colorado 81641 <br />T +1 970 824 1500 • F +1 970 824 1504 • www.rtea.com