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In summary, would it be accurate to say that the Forest Service supports a woody stem density of zero for <br />Mountain Coal's reclamation standard? <br />Cathy Welt, <br />Environmental Engineer Ill <br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC <br />West Elk Mine <br />P.O. Box 591 <br />Somerset, CO 81434 <br />Phone (970) 929 -2238 <br />Cell (970) 433 -1022 <br />Fax (970) 929 -5050 <br />From: Taylor, Ryan [mailto:rztaylor <br />Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 2:15 PM <br />Subject: USFS seed mix - Wood stem density for MCC <br />I was talking with Kathy Welt and she indicated that CDRMS had some concerns with respect to the woody stem density <br />requirements in MCC's ongoing reclamation. I wanted to chime in and make sure you were aware of the Forest Service <br />position with respect to MCC's permitted activities on USFS lands. <br />The USFS, MCC, OSM, and CDRMS, back in 2004, came together and looked at reclamation and seed mixes on USFS <br />managed lands (see attached letter). At that time we all came to agreement that Forest Plan direction for MCC's permit <br />area focused reclamation efforts to create more open grassland /meadow areas; In the case of Mountain Coal Company, <br />Oxbow Mining, and Bowie Resources Ltd. activities, the GMUG Forest Plan land management emphasis is for livestock <br />grazing and wildlife habitat, which are also the post- mining land uses. In addition, the Forest Plan indicates a need for <br />openings in the existing vegetation to enhance wildlife habitat and livestock use. As such, the GMUG prescribes only <br />native grass seed mixes (consisting of palatable grass species) and forbs, to support these uses and to achieve Forest <br />Plan standards. <br />Basically, due to the existing vegetation, we really don't want to encourage woody stem growth in the disturbed areas <br />within the mine permit. <br />If you have any questions, please contact me, <br />Regards, <br />Ryan <br />Ryan Z. Taylor - Geologist <br />Grand Mesa - Uncompahgre- Gunnison National Forests <br />2250 Hwy 50, Delta, Colorado 81416 <br />Office: 970 - 874 -6697 ; Mobile: 970 - 596 -2587 <br />Fax: 970 - 874 -6698 ; rztavlor at fs.fed.us <br />* **Email Disclaimer: The information contained in this e-mail, and in any accompanying documents, may constitute <br />confidential and /or legally privileged information. The information is intended only for use by the designated recipient. If <br />you are not the intended recipient (or responsible for delivery of the message to the intended recipient), you are hereby <br />notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance on this e-mail is <br />strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and <br />delete the message from your system. <br />3 <br />