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United States <br />Department of <br />USDA Agriculture <br />USDA <br />Forest <br />Service <br />Kay Blecha <br />Mt. Elbert Mining - Willow Creek <br />6311 Washington Street <br />Unit G <br />Denver, CO 80216 <br />Pike and San Isabel <br />National Forests <br />Cimarron and Comanche <br />National Grasslands <br />• Reclamation will be completed by November 15, 2011. <br />Caring for the Land and Serving the People <br />Leadville Ranger District <br />810 Front Street <br />Leadville, CO 80461 <br />(719) 486 -0749 <br />Fax (719) 486 -0928 <br />www.fs.usda.gov /psicc <br />File Code: 2810 <br />Date: September 8, 2011 <br />Dear Mr. Blecha, <br />Thank you for submitting a plan of operations to address reclamation of mining activity that has <br />occurred on National Forest System lands. Enclosed is the Forest Service evaluation of your <br />plan of operations with associated required changes /modifications /special mitigation for your <br />plan, referred to in Section VI. of the submitted Plan of Operations. <br />• Site grading should meet contour of the natural slope wherever possible and meet a <br />3H:1 V grade elsewhere. <br />• Prior to seeding, the topsoil should be loose and not compacted by heavy machinery. <br />Hand raking may be necessary to prepare the soil bed for seeding. <br />• Apply Forest Service approved native seed mix, including native sage brush. <br />• Straw mulch must be certified weed free with proof of certification available upon <br />request. Track straw mulch in perpendicular to slope so that grooves are created to <br />minimize erosion and to provide secure areas for seed establishment. No fertilizers are <br />recommended on site. <br />• Noxious weeds are currently present and need to be managed so not to spread further on <br />National Forest System (NFS) lands. Treat existing noxious weeds and continue to <br />monitor the disturbed areas on NFS lands for invasive weeds for five (5) years from the <br />date of this letter. Contact Chaffee County Weed Management (719 -539 -3455) for help <br />identifying and treating noxious weeds on NFS and private lands. <br />• No new soil disturbance or tree felling will occur with this activity. <br />• The wire fence line along the shared boundary will be removed from NFS lands. <br />• The old access road west of the property will be raked and reseeded with the <br />recommended native vegetation to include the upper and lower road cut. <br />• Once reclamation is complete, the private land / NFS boundary will be clearly marked on <br />the ground. <br />Printed on Recycled Paper <br />