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NH1 <br />Farming by adjacent landowners continued as in past years on the 6.4 ac field in the NW <br />portion of the NH1 Permit Area. The landowner was contacted and he stated that <br />250Ibs /ac fertilizer were applied. One cutting was harvested for approximately 14.4 tons <br />total or 4,500Ibs /acre of grass hay. This information was supplied by the landowner and <br />may be somewhat speculation, bale weight is assumed; no weigh tickets, clipped /oven <br />dried samples were taken. Western Fuels Colorado (WFC) did not apply fertilizer to the <br />45.65 acres parcel. Exhibit 2011 -1 shows fertilizer application rates and locations as well <br />as production and grazing areas. For reference, Exhibit 2011 -2 shows the pre -1993 <br />disturbance at NH1. Please note that the NH1 boundary changed in 2001 as a result of <br />MR -52. <br />NH2 <br />2011 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT <br />New & Active Disturbance <br />During 2011, approximately 36.66 acres of new disturbance were associated with the mine <br />progression at the New Horizon 2 Mine. New disturbance is considered to be in front of <br />the current pit such as top soil stripping. This activity is noted in Exhibit 2011 -3. Exhibit <br />2011 -12 depicts 164.75 acres in the active mining area. Active disturbance generally <br />consists of the current pit, backfilled areas, and areas that are not to final grade. <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />During 2011, 25.43 acres (Exhibit 2011 -7) were final graded at the New Horizon 2 Mine. <br />Backfill grading was accomplished by backfilling the empty pit in the same sequence it was <br />removed with a truck - shovel fleet and then final grading is accomplished with dozers <br />and /or a motor grader. <br />Soil and Spoil Scarification <br />The following soil and spoil scarification techniques were used while grading the <br />reclamation area. Prior to growth media soil replacement, the final graded spoil was <br />scarified to a depth of 2 foot using ripper shank attached behind a dozer. This scarifying <br />operation effectively reduced compaction, runoff, improves infiltration, and rooting depths. <br />Soil and Spoil Monitoring Data <br />New Horizon Mine is required by Permit C -81 -008 to monitor replaced soil and final graded <br />spoil and submit the information to the Division. Monitoring programs include verifying soil <br />replacement thickness and determining final graded spoil quality. Exhibit 2011 -6 depicts <br />topsoil thickness and sample locations. Exhibit 2011 -7 depicts backfill spoil sample <br />locations and shows backfill placement limits. Attachment 2011 -A, consists of required soil <br />samples taken by WFC personal on non - Morgan soils and is attached with analytical <br />results. <br />WFC requested a Technical Revision 61 (TR61) from the Division of Reclamation Mining <br />and Safety (DRMS) under the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) advisement to investigate <br />the alleged prime farmland on the Morgan section of the Permit. Several parties were <br />involved in the field investigation including but not limited to; KEY -AG, WFC, OSM, DRMS, <br />F: \Eng \DATA \Word \Ann Reclaim Report \2011 \2011RECRPT.doc <br />1 <br />