2011-06-03_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Date: 6/3/2011
• Doc Name: Response to Email Regarding 2011 Vegetation Sampling
• From: Savage & Savage
• To: DRMS
• Permit Index Doc Type: Vegetation
• Email Name: JHB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Binns, Janet
From: Binns, Janet
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2011 2:40 PM
To: '[e-mail]'
Cc: [e-mail]; RSwe?e?tw?o?[e-mail]; Hernandez, Daniel
Subject: .. RE- West Thanks Mike,
Your responses address my questions. I hope you have good weather for sampling.
jc m,et i-t. gCv? vas
Environmental Protection Specialist II
Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety
phone: [phone] ext. 8107
fax: [phone]
From: [e-mail] [mailto:savageandsavage(aearthlink. netl
Sent: Friday, June 03, 20112:33 PM
To: Binns, Janet
Cc: KWelt archcoal.com; RSweet:wood archcoal.com; Hernandez, Daniel
Subject: RE: West Elk precipitation data
Hello Janet,
Here is what I was thinking with regard to your questions.
1) 1 was anticipating taking a topsoil verification core at each vegetation sample location, therefore there would be a
minimum of 15 topsoil measurements for the Phase III eligible areas (which total -10.2 acres in extent), and a minimum of
15 additional topsoil depth measurements for Phase II reclaimed areas (which total -46 acres in extent), for a minimum
total topsoil depth sample of 30 over -56 acres. The topsoil depth would be verified through use of a topsoil auger that
provides a core for each --6" section of the hole. When the core reveals a change in texture, color (based on the material
at the surface), or encounters parent material, the bottom of the topsoil replacement will be assumed to have been
reached. This information will be recorded and reported for each sample site.
2) Additional herbaceous production (and woody density) transects will be located as I described in my 6/2 e-mail (below).
Selection will be double random, with reclamation areas being selected randomly, and location within the reclaimed area
randomly selected through a grid (50'x50) of the reclaimed area. Orientation of the transects will also be randomly
selected through a compass bearing (randomly generated) as we always do.
3) Understood, however please remember our prior discussion regarding Division's legal authority with respect to weeds.
Should the Division begin penalizing operators for the mere presence of listed weeds within their reclamation, that
ultimately causes the Division to deny bond releases, I would suggest the Division will have a serious problem with the
enforcement of that position.
4) Ryan Sweetwood has been sending me images of the plant growth at the site, so we can assess the growth of the
vegetation. Our plan is to sample the lower elevations first, then move higher in elevation as the communities mature.
Mike Savage
-----Original Message-----
From: "Binns, Janet"
Sent: Jun 2, 2011 12:30 PM
To: savageandsavage(a)earthlink.net
Cc: KWelt(g)archcoal.com, RSweetwood(a)archcoal.com, "Hernandez, Daniel"
Subject: RE: West Elk precipitation data