2011-04-19_REPORT - M1977004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3.0 RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES IN 2010 During 2010, reclamation activities at the Pitch site focused on additional grading and seeding of the cover on the Tie Camp Creek Disposal Cell; planting of cattails in the constructed wetlands area downstream from the North Pit dam; and grading for erosion control in both the North and South pits and on the west side of the Indian Creek rock dump. Noxious weed control (Canadian Thistle) was emphasized in 2010 using Curtail with Surfactant, and the removal of pine seedlings on the downstream face of the sediment control embankment. All work was conducted in accordance with applicable conditions in the Radioactive Materials License (RML) and the Pitch Reclamation Project Procedures Manual. 3.1 Constructed Wetlands Area and Adjacent Slope Reclamation related activities in 2010 consisted of improvements to the constructed wetlands area. The wetland area is near the site of the former Radium Treatment Plant (RTP) which was demolished, backfilled and recontoured in 2001, with grading and initial revegetation in 2002. Reclamation activities included the steep embankment behind the former RTP site, where the area was graded to reduce the slope and prevent sloughing. Reclamation in the area has consisted of recontouring to facilitate improved sedimentation control and to stabilize the slope adjacent to and down gradient from the site. Activities have included construction of small dikes in the drainage to allow the creation of small sedimentation basins, followed by the placement of timber slash in the drainage to retard flow velocity, and to trap sediment forming a wetlands type condition. Since 2002, stabilization measures have included planting of 1,100 lodgepole pines, and 200 spruce trees on the contoured area and planting of 500 lodgepole pines and 200 Douglas fir seedlings on the slope opposite the constructed wetlands area. In 2006 and 2007, a significant number of mortalities were observed among trees planted during previous seasons on the slope opposite the constructed wetlands area. The dead trees were replaced with approximately 400 new lodgepole seedlings. The 2006 work included placement of several large rocks and rock material across the lower end of the constructed wetlands area to further enhance sediment control and prevent previously placed tree slash from washing to the trash racks during thunderstorm events. In 2007, transplanting of cattails was undertaken on an experimental basis. The heavy snowpack over the past three winters provided needed protection for the cattails and many survived through the past two years. In 2010, additional cattails were planted in the wetlands area from a source at a similar Pitch Reclamation Project Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board 2010 Annual Reclamation Report 5