Laserfiche WebLink
counts and time card coding to differentiate and accurately assign costs/volumes <br />for all other material movement on the mine site. Colowyo will commit to <br />utilizing this system for tracking topsoil replacement to ensure accurate volume <br />tracking and ensure appropriate replacement volumes are applied to each <br />discrete reclamation unit. For purposes of full disclosure, in general, the East Pit <br />and West Pit reclamation units should receive an average application of 8 inches <br />of topsoil in each unit (South Taylor approx 19.5 inches). Spatial distribution of <br />the topsoil within any given unit will follow the profile description included in <br />Section 2.05.4 "Topsoil Redistribution Plan" as amended. Any deviations from <br />the spirit of the diagram will be discussed with the Division prior to completion of <br />topsoil laydown activities in a given reclamation unit and fully described as part <br />of the Annual Reclamation Report. <br />4. Item Resolved in first adequacy review. <br />Revegetation [(2.05.4(2)(e) and 4.151 <br />Supplemental Introduction in amended Section 2.05.4 <br />5. In the 26 June 2008 letter, the Division requested that Colowyo amend the woody <br />plant density standards section of the narrative to conform with specified criteria <br />pertaining to minimum shrub steppe acreage, shrub density within "core" and <br />"ecotone" areas, and certain species limitations, and further requested that <br />provisions allowing for "positive recruitment" based standard reductions be <br />eliminated. <br />In their 28 July 2008 responses, Colowyo proposed modified criteria that did not <br />fully comply with the Division's request. <br />The Division believes that the criteria laid out in our 26 June 2008 letter are <br />appropriate, with only minor adjustment, based on discussion with DOW staff on <br />20 January 2009, consideration of currently approved woody plant density <br />standards at other surface mines in northwest Colorado, and shrub establishment <br />success that is reasonable to expect using appropriate native seedmixes, soil <br />handling, cultural, and management practices. The Division believes further <br />reduction with respect to shrub steppe acreage or the numeric density standard for <br />the post-2008 areas would not be appropriate, given the original understanding <br />that wildlife habitat with a significant shrub component would be the major focus <br />of reclamation efforts on these lands. The Division will agree to the request that <br />fourwing saltbush shrubs be allowed to count toward the density standard, to the <br />extent that no more than 20% of countable shrubs be fourwing saltbush. As such, <br />the woody plant density success criteria will need to be stated as follows: <br />• A minimum 450 acres of Sagebrush Steppe (core areas and ecotone), <br />based on 50% success on the 900 (approximate) acres of potential <br />Sagebrush Steppe areas indicated on Map 44. A minimum standard