2011-10-03_REVISION - C1980007 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 10/3/2011
• Doc Name: Phase II Bond Release Application
• From: Savage & Savage
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: SL4
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Quantitative sampling of reclamation areas eligible for Phase II bond release at Mountain
Coal Company, LLC's (MCC) West Elk Mine was conducted in June 2011. Vegetation
cover and species composition were sampled. Comparisons were made between total
vegetation cover mean and species composition results from the sampled reclamation areas
and the final revegetation success criteria from the permit document. The reclamation areas
mean for total vegetation cover (57.53 %) exceeded the final revegetation success criterion of
53.04 percent in 2011. Based on relative cover data, the reclamation areas exceeded the
species composition final success criterion. The reclamation areas evaluated in 2011 qualify
for Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) Phase II bond release
from the perspective of establishment of a diverse, effective and permanent vegetation
community of the same seasonal variety native to the land disturbed.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of quantitative sampling in support of a request for Phase II
bond release for reclamation areas at the West Elk Mine (CDRMS permit C -80 -007) owned
and operated by MCC. Quantitative vegetative sampling is required by the CDRMS
whenever a permittee requests a release from liability or bond in Phase II or Phase III of the
bond release process. Vegetation sampling was performed in compliance with Colorado
Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15 at the time of
sampling and current botanical and plant ecological methods. Field sampling for the areas
monitored was conducted between June 8 and 23, 2011 by Savage and Savage, Inc.
biologists.
The West Elk Mine is located in Gunnison County, Colorado, approximately 1 8 miles east
of Somerset, Colorado and is accessed by Colorado Highway 133. MCC has operated the
West Elk Mine since 1981. Reclaimed areas sampled in 2011 were backfilled, graded,
topsoiled and revegetated in accordance with the approved mining and reclamation plan. The
reclaimed sites sampled this year were formerly drill sites and access roads constructed for
coal exploration and mine methane drainage over the past fifteen years. Reclamation
activities took place between 1996 and 2008 and included plugging of the drill holes,
backfilling and regrading the drill sites and roads, replacing topsoil, reseeding and mulching,
and installing erosion control materials.
The revegetation standards used to evaluate these areas are those currently in effect under the
Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 34 -33 -101 et seq) and the West Elk
Mining and Reclamation Permit (C -80 -007).
Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine
2011 Reclaimed Areas Vegetation Report
Phase II Bond Release
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