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United States Department of Agriculture <br />4 I V RCS <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service <br />1475 Pine Grove Rd Suite 201A <br />Steamboat, Colorado 80587 <br />lori.jazwick@co.usda.gov <br />970-879-3225 Ext 3 <br />970-979-2517 Fax <br />June 8, 2009 <br />To: Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety oviJs" UN 092049 <br />1313 Denver, CO 80203 Street, Room 215 Mip0'n ot <br />9anasamaty, <br />Qty <br />Subject: Notice of Bond Release Request, Edna Mine Permit Number C-80-001 <br />After inspection and review of this property and the reclamation plan submitted by the Edna <br />-Mine; 1 oFject to the release of tfiis bon -Thais property has nofbeen reclaimenthe eft-trat- <br />it should be and still has several issues with noxious weeds that have not been controlled and <br />other native weeds that are becoming dominate on the property. The grass and forb species that <br />were planted are doing well and are considered native to the range site, however, no sagebrush, <br />oak brush, serviceberry, chokecherry, or aspen trees were planted on this property. These <br />species are all naturally found on this range site, if it had not been disturbed. These woody <br />species are listed in a sample that was taken to compare a native site to the reclaimed site, and <br />the reclaimed site used rubber rabbit brush as its "woody species" in order to pass the reclamation <br />requirements. While rubber rabbit brush is a native "woody species" it provides no wildlife <br />benefits as sagebrush, oak brush, serviceberry, chokecherry and the aspen trees do. Rubber <br />rabbit brush is a native weed that takes over disturbed vegetation communities and is very hard <br />to get rid of. The rubber rabbit brush on the reclaimed area is taking over the vegetative <br />community displacing the wildlife habitat, and providing no benefit for livestock grazing. <br />Edna Mine's documentation on paper of a successful reclamation may to true, but that is not the <br />case in the field. The visual impacts and landscape value of this reclamation failure effect <br />neighbors, recreationalists, and wildlife for decades to come. I know that success reclamation <br />can be achieved within Routt County because other mines have succeeded. Edna Mine's attempt <br />at reclamation has been half hearted at best and failed. I can not support the request of this bond <br />release. <br />Sincerely, <br />J a <br />on Jazwick <br />District Conservationist <br />Helping People Help the Land <br />An Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider