_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (250)

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Mr. Savage has offered a number of useful comments, which suggest the reason for these high bids. I call your attention to several factors he has cited, which are relevant to the bids received: In General: • The lack of detail and specificity in the preparation of the bidding documents, even though much of this information is available in the permit and revision documents, will likely result in bids to complete the specified tasks being higher than needed, since lack of specificity causes contractors to "hedge their bets" and bid very conservatively. • Additional bid items which do not correlate to specific reclamation tasks as identified in the bids. • Seeding rates are excessive. Sutey101d Refuse Pile • Overdesign of the surface drainage, reconstruction of in-place ditches and overly zealous use of expensive and unnecessary liners and netting. • Use of silt fence (2,000'-2,800') is expensive, and of questionable benefit. • Extent and location of grading is unclear, of concern is whether CDMG proposes to regrade areas that have had ditches previously installed and/or been topsoiled and revegetated. • Seeding rates are excessive (2X and 20X the rate recommended); this high rate wastes seed and will probably lead to increased seedling failure. Mine #3 • Alternatives to silt fencing should be considered. • The quantity of backfill material is not specified.' In April, 1994 Greg Lewicki, P.E., submitted reclamation plans for the benches at Mines#3 and#4. The existing sites were modeled in 3 dimensions using Eagle Point civil engineering software working inside AutoCAD. Cut and fill plans were developed, with plan view maps and cross-sections delineating the partial reclamation of these benches. Volumes were calculated for the cut and fill earthwork. All demonstrations were made to meet the new highwall reclamation requirements, including a detailed slope stability analysis using material sampled from each of the portal benches. In June, Mr. Renner requested additional cross-sections for both portal areas. These were completed and submitted on June 26, 1994. It should be noted that because the construction of the bench areas occured decades ago, there is no certainty as to the amount of reasonably available material which can be recovered. However, it is suggested that use these studies would provide greater specificity for bidders. 2