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III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII STATE OF COL01zAD0 <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Dopanmcm of Natural Resources <br />141 }Sherman 51., Room 215 <br />Dcnvrr, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone. 130.llflbb-3567 <br />FA8:11011 fl1!-R106 <br />March 5, 1998 <br />Rick Ward <br />Honeywood Coal Company <br />85 Whitebridge Road, #404 <br />Nashville, TN 37205 <br />Re: Grazing Cattle on Reclaimed Land at Hamilton Mine, C-91-078 <br />Dear Mr. Ward: <br />II~~~ <br />DEPARTMENT OF <br />NATURAL <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Romer <br />Governor <br />Wmes 5 Lochhead <br />E.ecwne Dueuor <br />michael B. Lo~R <br />Divivon Director <br />The Division has studied the existing vegetation conditions at the Hamilton Mine and has concluded <br />that, if possible, limited grazing on the reclaimed land in eazly spring, and late summer would be <br />benificial to the overall revegetation efforts. <br />One contributing factor to the lack of benificial plants growing on the reclaimed portions of the mine <br />is the compitition for moisture caused by weedy plants, especially cheatgrass. As cheatgrass is an <br />annual plant, eazly grazing can eliminate seed growth on this plant, which is one of the most <br />proliferate plants onsite. Cheatgrass will also reemerge in mid to late summer so again, if possible, <br />grazing at this time could be benificial. <br />The Division is only recommending this method as an option and not a requirement. We will <br />continue to work with the personnel out here in order to help you achieve reclamation success at the <br />Hamilton Mine. <br />Should you have any questions or aze in need of additional information, please contact me. <br />Sincerely, <br />~~~.~ <br />Harry B. Ranney <br />Environmental Protection Spe ialist <br />cc: Jim Stover. Dave Andrews. Durango Field Office <br />