2011-01-13_REVISION - C1981038 (8)

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Stability analyses were completed for both the operational and reclaimed configurations of the west portal facility area. Reclamation of the West Mine began in 2000 with complete structural demolition and removal at the West Mine portal bench. The three portal adits were backfilled with compacted, non-combustible material. Structural demolition at the West Mine fan area was also accomplished. Backfilling and grading of the West Mine portal bench began in 2000 as well. However, because of site constraints, complete backfilling and grading was only possible for the upper portion of the site. When vegetation has been established on the upper portion, the East Roatcap Creek culvert will be removed and the lower portion will be backfilled and graded. BRL applied for, and received approval for, a partial Phase I bond release for reclamation work performed at the Bowie No. 1 East Mine and the Bowie No. 1 West Mine. XI. Revegetation - Rule 4.15 Information pertaining to vegetation baseline may be found on pages 70-75, Part 2.04 of Volume 1, and in the Vegetation Appendix of Volume 9A. Information pertaining to the revegetation plan and vegetation success criteria may be found on pages 67-76, Part 2.05 of Volume 1, and in the Vegetation Appendix of Volume 9A. Disturbance at the Bowie No. 1 Mine began in late 1975. Currently, additional disturbances are not anticipated due to the cessation of mining. Initial disturbance occurred prior to any requirements for preparation of vegetation inventories; thus, portions of this mine site were not surveyed. However, as new areas are proposed to be disturbed, they are first inventoried. A total of four vegetation inventories have been completed to date at this mine site. The first inventory was conducted in 1977 and provided a brief qualitative description of the vegetation types to comply with the existing baseline requirements. With the enactment of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, came more stringent baseline requirements. A second inventory for the two reference areas (pinon juniper and mountain shrub land), and about five (5) acres of the original waste disposal area was conducted in 1981. This study also provided information to allow for the development of a revegetation plan. A third vegetation inventory was conducted in 1982 since the two identified reference areas did not adequately reflect the intended post-mining land use. This third inventory allowed for the development of acceptable vegetation success criteria and resulted in a modification to the seed mixture. The last inventory was conducted in 1986 at the Bowie No. 1 West Mine. Due to the small acreage disturbed (12 acres), no reference areas were established. However, vegetation success standards were developed specific to this site from the study. Vegetation on the areas affected by this mine is characterized by pinon juniper stands, mixed mountain shrub lands, oakbrush shrub lands, and orchard land. The pinon juniper type is the most extensive vegetation type disturbed covering 81 of the 144 total disturbed acres. A total of 10.1 acres of the mixed shrub land type has been disturbed. From the four vegetation studies, no proposed or listed threatened or endangered plant species of Federal or state concern were identified. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(20(n), the Division finds that mining activities will not affect the existence of or result in the destruction of adverse modification of endangered or threatened species or their critical habitats, respectively. The approved permanent seed mix (pages 70-71, Part 2.05) proposes 28 different grass, forb and shrub species. Each year the operator proposes to seed a minimum of 11 species - six grasses and five forbs. Four of the grass species and two of the forb species will be used every year with the other five species coming from the remaining 22 proposed species. A variety of species are included in this list to allow the operator to select species based upon availability and 35