2010-02-04_REVISION - C1981019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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nr STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor COF DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thomas E. Remington, Director R 6060 Broadway O?Q For Wildlife- For People Denver, Colorado 80216 [g Q Q? t?o Telephone: (303) 297-1192 FE ecoma, n' Sa?ety wildlife. state. co. us 0`v,s011 o? and oviln9 James R. Stark, Environmental Protection Specialist Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 1 February 2010 RE: Colowyo Coal Company, L.P. (Permit No. C-1981-019) Technical Revision Application No. 84 (TR-84) Comment Response to Stipulation 13 (TR72/RN5) To Mr. Stark: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Stipulation 13 of Technical Revision No. 84 (TR 84) for Colowyo Coal Company, L.P. to revise their reclamation plan to allow establishment of tall mountain shrubs and aspen planting in the South Taylor Pit area. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has reviewed this Stipulation would like to provide the following comments: CDOW concern is that reclamation of mined lands results in adequate wildlife habitat in post mining activities. The primary focus of the reclamation of South Taylor is livestock grazing and brooding areas for Greater Sage Grouse. Currently, Colowyo is located within areas classified as suitable for Greater Sage Grouse habitat. Good nesting habitat for Greater Sage Grouse is composed of good grass and forb understory with live sagebrush canopy. It is the desire of CDOW that Colowyo work towards achieving this. Colowyo's proposal to establish tall shrub and aspen communities offers the opportunity for Greater Sage Grouse and Elk to utilize these areas with success. The strategy is consistent with the CDOW's desire to return mined lands to adequate wildlife habitat. CDOW is also favorable of the recommended seed mix that Colowyo will employ. Emphasis of native seed as well as greatly increasing the shrub component of the mix is a Best Management Practice identified for wildlife mitigation in reclamation. CDOW appreciates Colowyo in working with us to restore Colowyo to habitats suitable for wildlife. In conclusion, the CDOW appreciates the efforts of the petitioner to retain many of the wildlife values of the property. Additionally, enhancing existing wetlands, minimizing the amount of acres disturbed,at one time during the mining operation, and utilizing sound reclamation practices will be beneficial to wildlife: We have appreciated the opportunity to work together with Colowyo Coal Company, L.P. to benefit wildlife. If you have any questions please contact Bill deVergie, Area Wildlife Manager at 970-878- 6061. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hams D. Sherman, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Brad Coors, Chair • Tim Glenn, Vice Chair • Dennis Buechler, Secretary Members, Jeffrey Crawford • Dorothea Farris • Roy McAnally • John Singletary • Mark Smith • Robert Streeter Ex Officio Members, Hams Sherman and John Stulp