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Hernandez, Alysha <br />From: Talvitie, Marcia <br />Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 11:14 AM <br />To: Binns, Janet <br />Cc: Brown, Sandy; Bowles, Brock; Hernandez, Daniel; Hernandez, Alysha <br />Subject: C- 2010 -089 Request for Assistance (Soil Issues cont'd) <br />Attachments: 2011 -10 -20 PAR No 2B.pdf <br />Good morning, Janet <br />Back in Dec -2010, you assisted me with the PAR for land use, soils, and revegetation portions of the proposed New <br />Horizon North Mine — Application No. C- 2010 -089. As you will recall, Western Fuels plans to conduct surface mining <br />operations in an agricultural area located northwest of the town of Nucla. <br />On June 2, 2011, the Division received Western Fuels' response to the PAR. Their package consists of a set of four 3 -ring <br />binders which have completely replaced the original set of 3 binders that we reviewed. Brock has been very helpful with <br />reviewing the response, and with ensuring that your original adequacy concerns have been satisfactorily addressed. <br />We are making good progress with Western Fuels in all areas of the application, with the exception of soil salvage and <br />replacement. As you identified in your Dec. 15, 2010 review memo, they are proposing to conduct single -lift salvage of <br />all soil types. For soil replacement, no specific thicknesses of topsoil are specified, regardless of the proposed postmining <br />land use (irrigated versus dryland pasture). I have detailed my concerns with the topsoil sections of the application in a <br />separate adequacy review memo, which is attached. <br />I would like to request your technical assistance with respect to soil availability, salvage, and replacement for the New <br />Horizon North application. Specifically, your thoughts on the issues I have raised in Sections 2.04.9 and 2.05.4(2)(d) of <br />the attached review letter would be invaluable. At heart is the question of whether single -lift salvage, mixture, and <br />replacement of all soil types to an unspecified (20" on average, by my calculations) is appropriate for this site. <br />Understandably, Western Fuels is not in favor of salvaging any of the soils in two lifts. Nor do they wish to be required to <br />separate the thicker Progresso soils from the thinner Pinon soils and the previously salvaged- and - replaced REC soils. As <br />always, the Division's goal is to ensure that the application complies with applicable portions of the rules, and that the <br />capability of the reclaimed lands is restored to pre- mining levels. <br />For your reference: the pertinent portions of the application are Section 2.04.9, including Maps 2.04.9 -1; 2.04.9 -2; and <br />2.04.9 -3, and Section 2.05.4(2)(d). <br />Thanks, Janet — please let me know if you need additional clarification. <br />Marcia <br />Marcia L. Talvitie, P.E. <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />DRMS Durango Field Office - Coal Program <br />Phone; (970) 247 -1184 <br />