GENERAL33743

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 5/11/1983
• Doc Name: VEGETATION FINDINGS MEMO
• From: MLRD
• To: BOB LIDDLE
• Permit Index Doc Type: VEGETATION
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
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~ MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION
~_.~~ - DAVID C. SHELTON Director
R ¢nartl D Lamm
Go~emor
DATE: May 11, 1983 ~~
FROM: Dan Mathews
T0: Bob Liddle
RE: Somerset Mine Vegetation Findings

I have reviewed the Vegetation Information and Re vegetation Plan portions
of the Somerset Application and I have the following comments:
1. As the findings indicate, the application contains results of a
vegetation inventory conducted so as to comply with Division
specifications. A sufficiently detailed re vegetation plan is also
contained within the application.
2. Page 7 of the revegation plan states that "~Revegetation
Success] values for cover and production will be statistically compared
,to baseline values." The fi din s should clarif that the juniper
woodland standards of 57.5% for to a cover and 196.1 lbs/acre for total
production will apply to disturbed areas at Bear Creek and those portions
of the powerline disturbance within the juniper woodland vegetation type
on Map ES-3391. Mountain shrub standards of 55.6% for total cover and
493.9 lbs/acre should apply to the Elk Creek and Hubbard Creek
disturbances, and portions of the powerline disturbed area within the
mountain shrub vegetation type on Map E8-3391.
3. The application does not contain a proposed woody plant density
success standard. Given the harsh site conditions (2:1 south facing
slopes and lack of topsoil) reestablishment of a woody plant community
within the 10 year bond liability period will be difficult. Original
restoration of woody plant densities of over 5,000 stems per acre is
probably not feasible, and certianly not desirable from the standpoint of
wildlife habitat or erosion control. Due to the small size of the
disturbance (the largest continuous disturbed area is 26 acres) the
reestablishment of woody plants is not an important wildlife
consideration. The applicant has proposed to include shrub seeding and
planting as part of their revegation plan. The main justification for
including woody plants in the revegation plan would be aesthetic
consideration and not land use needs. A woody plant density success
standard of 3UU stems per acre should be feasible and would accelerate
the eventual establishment of a woody plant community on the reclaimed
area. ,
"'~
423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver. Colorado 80203 Tel. [phone]