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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866-3567 <br />FAX: (303) 832-8106 <br />Date: April 6, 2011 <br />To: Mike Boulay <br />From: Brock Bowles 116 <br />RE: Roadside Mine Permit No.C-1981-041 <br />Technical Revision No. 60 (TR-60) <br />COLORADO <br />D I V I S I ON O F <br />RECLAMATION <br />MINING <br />SAFETY <br />I have reviewed the referenced TR-60 adequacy response submitted by J. E. Stover and Associates on <br />behalf of Snowcap Coal Company (SCC). The responses to the adequacy review were well organized <br />and informative. All of the items were adequately addressed and SCC's response to the Division of <br />Wildlife's comments was thorough. I have one additional detail that needs to be addressed: <br />1. Item resolved. <br />2. a-Item resolved. <br />b-Item resolved. <br />c-Item resolved. <br />3. Item resolved. An explanation about follow-up consultations were included in the March 23, <br />2011 adequacy review response letter and found to be adequate. <br />4. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) submitted their comments about TR-60 to the <br />Division in a letter dated February 10, 2011. CDOW raised concerns about the quality of <br />wildlife habitat on the Snowcap Coal property being affected because of "a blanket change to <br />the revegetation reclamation standards." CDOW believes that these proposed changes are "not <br />appropriate." <br />In an effort to eradicate cheatgrass from the reclaimed areas, SCC has consulted with numerous <br />professionals and has followed the appropriate procedures for cheatgrass eradication. SCC has <br />documented their efforts in their Adequacy Review Response letter dated March 23, 2011 <br />(attached). The Division feels that the change in revegetation standards is warranted. I drafted <br />a letter of response to DOW that is attached to this memo. <br />5. Page 14-22, Vegetation Cover - The text states "Achieve 90% of the perennial vegetation <br />cover of the approved reference area." To ensure better accuracy, the text should state the <br />success criteria as "Achieve 90% of the perennial vegetation cover of the approved reference <br />Office of Office of <br />Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines