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iii iuiiiiiiiiu iii DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES David H. Getches, Executive Director • MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION DAVID C. SHELTON, Director Richard D. Lamm Governor DATE: April 16, 1984 T0: Edna Mine -File No. C-001-80 FROM: Sandy RE: P & M Bond Release Request I have reviewed the quantitative vegetation information submitted by P & M for the areas they are requesting to have released from bond liability. The bond release request was submitted April, 1983. All areas that were requested for release were mined under the 1976 Act or an earlier law and were covered by a "life of mine" bond. The 1976 Act requires the operator to establish a diverse, effective, and long lasting vegetative cover that is capable of self-regeneration and at least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the surrounding area. P & M sampled three areas. They used acceptable sampling methods as described in the report. The mean vegetation, litter and rock cover in the revegetated areas is shown on Table 1 of the report. They are: Area G1 - 62%, Area G2 - 84.7%, Area D - 6~, and Areas G1 & G2 - 71%. These values are slightly lower than what the baseline conditions were in three communities. The baseline study reported the following mean vegetation, litter and rock cover values: Aspen - 98.6%; Sage/snowberry - 96.4%; and, Mountain Shrub - 97.6%. As seen by the data, the cover of the revegetated area is not equal in extent to the surrounding area. However, I do not feel it is a problem. The composition of the reclaimed areas is predominantly grasses, whereas in the baseline study areas the communities showed a more diverse composition. Grasses do not contribute as large a value when determining cover. The biggest considerations or the reclaimed area are: 1. Whether or not the vegetation cover provides adequate erosion control; 2. Is suitable to support the post-mining land use; 3. Is diverse; and, 4. Is adequately established and capable of self-regeneration. The reclaimed areas at the Edna Mine proposed for bond release, successfully meet the criteria and are eligible for bond release. /ph Doc. No. 0776 423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (30~) 866-3567