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<br />March 2, 2009 <br />To: <br />RECEIVED <br />RECEWED <br />MAR 0 5 2009 <br />GRAND JUNG°i 10N HELD OFFICE <br />DIViSION OF <br />RECLAMATION MINING & SAFETY <br />MAR 0 6 2009 <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Diviissio n 9 Recl afety ati n, <br />, an <br />Grand Junction Field Office, 101 S. 3rd St. Suite MT <br />Grand Junction, CO 81501 <br />Attn: G. Russell Means <br />Re: Response to Prelimin Adequacy Review. ?? <br />Smith Gravel Pit No. 20,' ryavel pit No. M-1978-085 Amendment AM-01 <br />Rule 6.4.4 (i) - Exhibit D, Mining Plan: No explosives will be used in the operation. <br />Rule 3.1.9 (1), Topsoil: It is Moffat County's reclamation policy to use our standard <br />seed-mix formula for reclamation and for erosion control. <br />Rule 3.1.10 (3) Revegetation: (This Item does not apply to restricting livestock from the <br />reclaimed area.) <br />Rule 3.1.10 (4 Revegetation: This Item discusses the need to consider environmental <br />factors such as precipitation etc.... and similar attention to the "restriction of grazing <br />during initial establishment." <br />Let me respond to this issue. Moffat County has normally carried an inventory of gravel <br />pits between 16 and 20. Perhaps with an average of 30% on the BLM. We have reclaimed <br />and released approximately 20 gravel pits in the last 20 years, only one of which required <br />a fence to manage livestock grazing. <br />Fencing will not guarantee an immediate establishment of vegetation. You cannot fence <br />out deer, elk, antelope or wild horses. Having said that, it is Moffat County's plan to <br />fence the 09.36 acre "Reclamation Area" (lying north of CR #4) this summer; there are <br />two reasons why: <br />(1) Because the livestock have adopted that area as a "loafing ground"; <br />(2) Because trespassers have been running vehicles over the Reclamation Area. <br />For the future reclamation on the Smith Pit Amendment Permit, we would like to <br />continue a policy of constructing a fence around reclamation areas only if the BLM <br />and/or Moffat County determine that it is necessary for the initial establishment of the <br />revegetation. Moffat County has a good reclamation release record; we do not make a <br />request for release until the landowner is satisfied with the results of the reclamation. <br />Rule 3.1.12, Signs and Markers. Our Mine Entrance sign is already in. We will place a <br />steel post with a Boundary sign on each corner after the Amendment permit has been <br />approved.