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of a low water crossing may cause issues between the Forest and the private <br /> land owners to arise. Assuming that this portion of the road is on Forest System <br /> property, we would be interested in seeing either the Forest or the private land <br /> owner assume maintenance responsibilities, rather than the Division continuing <br /> to expend reclamation funds on this task. Please let me know if we can facilitate <br /> a solution to this problem. <br /> Last summer we discussed the impacts of grazing to recently revegetated areas. <br /> Reclamation professionals have differing views on the value of grazing recently <br /> revegetated areas. It has been my observation that in Coal Basin, revegetated <br /> areas which are not grazed for at least one growing season following seeding <br /> tend to develop a better cover than areas grazed the year following seeding. For <br /> this reason, I have elected to fence some reclaimed areas in the Basin. As noted <br /> above, the Upper Coal Creek Project Area will be fenced following completion of <br /> work there this summer. Fences have also been built around the Bear Creek <br /> Project Area located near the easterly portion of the Old Refuse Pile and at the <br /> Flume Vicinity Project Area, located at the westerly portion of the Old Refuse <br /> Pile. The Bear Creek Project was completed in 1999, and was grazed in 2000. 1 <br /> observed that this area suffered some erosion as a result of grazing activity. The <br /> area was re-seeded and fenced in 2001. The Flume Vicinity Project was <br /> completed in the fall of 2001. This one acre area was seeded and fenced upon <br /> Project completion. <br /> There are some areas where withholding grazing in 2002 may benefit <br /> reclamation, specifically, the roads leading from the Lamp House to Mines 4 and <br /> 1, which were reclaimed in 1999. These roads were re-seeded in 2002, and may <br /> benefit by allowing the reclamation species to produce seed in 2002. In 2003, it <br /> may benefit reclamation success to exclude cattle from the roads leading from <br /> the Lamp House to the Upper Coal Creek Project Area. We understand that <br /> grazing management is a Forest management issue, which may or may not be <br /> feasible to implement to the extent that we have outlined. These <br /> recommendations merely reflect our observations of reclamation success at this <br /> site. <br /> I look forward to working with you and your staff this coming field season. Please <br /> feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Ste en G. Renner <br /> Project Manager <br /> Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br /> 101 South 3`d Street, Suite 301 <br /> Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 <br /> Phone: 970-241-0336 <br /> FAX: 970-241-1516 <br />