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e.wa�rtil�,e�am ad e.�wre►s <br /> Thomas A. Colbert Page 4 <br /> high fertility levels in the soil. Thus it became possible to re-establish the below <br /> ground ecosystem of beneficial heterotrophic bacteria,fungi,actinomycetes,as well <br /> as animal populations,upon which the above ground vegetation was dependent. <br /> With adequate organic matter in the soil and thriving microbial populations, <br /> permanent establishment of vegetation under harsh climatic conditions,including <br /> the alpine and subalpine zones of the intermountain west,became much more <br /> feasible. <br /> Stunyside Basin Test Plots <br /> High in the San Juan mountains of southern Colorado,Lake Emma achieved <br /> notoriety several years ago when the lake bottom—which had been undermined— <br /> collapsed into the mine workings below. It was fortunate this near-disaster took <br /> place on a Sunday,and no lives were lost. <br /> At the Lake Emma site,about 20 acres have been affected by mining related surface <br /> disturbances. One of these disturbances is a large drainage channel which was built <br /> after the lake bottom collapsed to divert snowmelt and precipitation runoff away <br /> from the glory hole. Material excavated from the construction of the drainage <br /> channel,including lake sediments,have been deposited around the lower periphery <br /> of the former lake site. Other disturbances include two ore producing open pits <br /> above the former lake site. Waste rock from these pits has been stockpiled in <br /> various locations. Topsoil has also been salvaged and stockpiled Surface <br /> disturbances from past mining operations long since abandoned are also evident. <br /> Ultimately,waste rock,overburden and other materials will be used to backfill the <br /> Lake Emma glory hole. Adjacent disturbed areas will be regraded and revegetated <br /> The reclamation of Lake Emma--and of all other mining disturbances in Colorado <br /> since 1976 —is governed by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act. Under <br /> this Act,a mining operation is required to have an approved permit for all mining <br /> and reclamation activities. These requirements are enforced by the Colorado <br /> Division of Mined Land Reclamation and the Mined Land Reclamation Board. <br /> The Lake Emma site is above timberline at about 12,2W feet in elevation. <br /> Characteristic of high elevation sites,it is an area of high snowfall and a short <br /> growing season. <br />