2013-02-19_REPORT - C1981008 (16)

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Grazing NH2 AREAS Grazing operations on NH1- This area is currently included in two Coal Mine Permits held by Western Fuels Colorado (WFC); C -1981 -008 and C- 2010 -089. WFC is currently working with the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) to remove this area from Permit C- 1981 -008. All NH1 activities are covered under the Annual Reclamation Report for Permit C -2010 -089, Western Fuels Colorado, LLC, New Horizon North Mine. Grazing operations on NH2 - The Burbridge family operation consisted of: • Approximately 40 bovine on 43 acres December 25, 2011 - February 15, 2012 • Approximately 28 bovine on 48 acres December 25, 2011 -March 24, 2012 • Approximately 28 bovine on 44 acres February 15, 2013 -March 24, 2012 • Approximately 8 bovine on 33 acres October 15, 2012 - December 15, 2012 • Approximately 10 bovine plus 2 horses on 44 acres October 15, 2012 - mid -April • The 8 bovine were added to the 44 acre herd December 15, 2012 - mid -April • Started grass hay supplementing December 22, 2012 The two items that do not have a termination date are ongoing. Mr. Brubridge stated that he should be removing this operation in mid -April 2013. The Garvey operation consisted of: • Approximately 64 bovine on 48 acres November 30, 2012 - December 26, 2012. The Staats Family operation consisted of: • Approximately 110 bovine on 64 acres February 15, 2012 -March 2, 2012 • Approximately 110 bovine on 27* acres January 12, 2012 - February 2, 2012 • Approximately 231 bovine on 107 acres November 25, 2012 - December 13, 2012 • Approximately 231 bovine on 27* acres December 13- January 24, 2013 * =The bovine were allowed to pasture on a combination of 110 acres; 27 acres within the Mine Permit and 83 acres off the Mine Permit. Both areas include several acres of non - managed pasture such as ditches, swales and roadsides that will provide forage to extend the stay of the animals. These non - managed areas are by nature very hard to quantify forage quality and amounts. The reference area grazing operation consisted of: • Approximately 6 bovine on 6.4 acres March 7, 2012 -April 8, 2012 • Approximately 3 horses on 6.4 acres October 11, 2012 - January 5, 2013 Attachment 2012 -D contains grazing allotment estimates. This form is copied from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Range & Pasture Handbook 1997. This worksheet serves as a guide for the irrigated sections of the Permit for grazing and gives a general idea of what forage is available. The properties are reviewed while grazing activities are in progress. During the grazing operation a visual determination is then made with the bovine owner, farm contractor, and Western Fuels personnel to make sure the properties are being grazed for maximum efficiency and minimizing damage to the fields. The above referenced areas are depicted in Exhibit 2012 -15. Approximately 265 acres were grazed on the NH2 Permit area plus the 6.4 acres located in the reference area. Due to overlaps in grazing, information from the F: \Eng \DATA \Word \Ann Reclaim Report \2012 \2012 RECRPT.doc 5