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JUL-27-1998 13:22 ROBERT DELANEY 970 945 2303 P. 10 <br /> Savage and Savage <br /> Memorandum <br /> To: Diane and Robert Delaney <br /> From: Michael Savage A05 <br /> Date: July 21, 1998 <br /> Subject: Revegetation Observations at Mine #5, #3, and #4, Coal Basin Mines <br /> File #: 97-CV-131-3 <br /> On July 14 19989 I inspected Mine # 5 with Ms. Delaney. On July 15, 1998, I <br /> inspected Mine # 3 and Mine #4. The purpose of the inspections was to observe <br /> conditions at the mines, and develop a professional opinion regarding the revegetation <br /> measures proposed by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG) as part <br /> of the reclamation of the Coal Basin Mines, and specifically as related to CDMG bid <br /> package PKA-9-421. <br /> Mine #5 <br /> During the afternoon of July 14, 1998, Ms. Delaney and I used a four-wheeler to drive <br /> the Mine #5 access road from the lamp house to the first Coal Creek crossing. At this <br /> point, CDMG had previously removed the road culvert, rendering further vehicular <br /> access risky. We continued on foot along the road to the reclaimed mine site, and up <br /> the outslope of the former strip area to the bench and fan bench. <br /> Revegetation of the relatively flat surfaces along the Mine .#5 access road appears <br /> successful. In the majority of areas, the grass species have grown well and provide a <br /> degree of erosion protection from surface water flow. At the site of the former portal, <br /> growth of vegetation is good at the toe of the slope and sparse along the slope to the <br /> portal bench. Backfilling and grading of the portal area was conducted late in the <br /> season, without the benefit of seeding and mulching. This area, given the moderate <br /> slopes and north-facing aspect could be expected to revegetate easily. The outslopes of <br /> the fan bench and strip area above the former portal area are another story. The strip <br /> area outslope faces north, and has angle of repose slopes approaching or exceeding 50 <br /> degrees (Figure 1). Climbing this slope is difficult without technical climbing gear. <br /> Previously, CDMG had lowered people on ropes and planted tree seedlings on the <br /> slope, with the benefit of "V" shaped log retaining structures to hold material in a level <br /> configuration. Several of these structures were inspected while climbing the outslope. <br /> Unfortunately, the majority of the tree seedlings planted in these structures did not <br /> survive. Some natural invasion of trees has occurred on the slope, predominantly on <br /> the lower one-third of the slope. This outslope is concave in cross-section and <br /> approximately 800 feet long. It was noted that little plant growth occurs on the upper <br /> half of the slope, probably due to soil creep, wind and water erosion, and snowslides. <br /> On the slightly moderated 'belly' of the slope (the middle segment), some grass, shrub, <br />