Laserfiche WebLink
f' <br />E~ <br />~~: <br />Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC <br />Mr. James R. Stark <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Subject: Prime Farmland Determination <br />Lower Wilson Mining Area Expansion Project <br />Colowyo Coal Company <br />Meeker, Colorado <br />WALSH Project # 6025-010 <br />Dear Mr. Stark: <br />August 16, 2005 <br />RECEIVED <br />AUG 2 2 1005 <br />Division ~f Minerals aad Geology <br />Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (WALSH) was contracted by Kennecott Energy <br />on behalf of Colowyo Coal Company (Colowyo) to prepare permit revision documents for the <br />expansion of the current mining operation to include the Lower Wilson Mining Area shown on the <br />attached figure. Colowyo requested a prime farmland determination from the U.S Department of <br />Agriculture -Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 2002. The NRCS responded to <br />the request in a letter dated October 9, 2002 which indicated that no areas of prime farmland are <br />present in the proposed expansion area. A copy of the letter is attached. <br />Based on multiple site visits and in accordance with the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land <br />Reclamation Board for Coal Mining, the affected areas within the permit expansion boundary do not <br />appear to meet the criteria for classification of prime farmland. Slopes within the mining area range <br />from 25% to more than 40% with the exception of the narrow valley bottom and one isolated area. <br />The overall average slope in the mining area exceeds a 6% slope as discussed in Section 2.04.12 (2) <br />(b) of the Regulations. Much of the lower lying area located along the haul route was deeply <br />entrenched by ahighly-erosive flood of Wilson Creek that left the area unsuitable for farming. The <br />low-sloping section of the coal stockpile area would be suitable for farming; however, the land is not <br />irrigated or naturally sub-irrigated and has no developed irrigation water supply that is dependable as <br />discussed in Section 2.04.12(2)(c) of the Regulations. The area located adjacent to the Gossard <br />Loadout is currently used for farming activities; however according to the attached NRCS letter, <br />there are no soil map units that have been designated as prime farmland. Therefore, based on the <br />data presented above, Colowyo requests that the CDMG provide a negative prime fannland <br />determination. <br />Sincerely, <br />Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC <br />~~ ~ ~ ~,- <br />Faron L. Compton, AQCC # 4166 <br />Environmental Scientist <br />Attachments: NRCS Prime Farmland Determination Letter -October 9, 2002 <br />Western Slope Division: <br />535 Grand Aveuue .Grand Junction, Colorado 81501-2790 . Phone (970) 241-4636 . FAX (970) 241-4312 . walshenv.com <br />Corporate Oftice: Page 1 of 1 <br />4888 Pearl East Circle, Suite 108 . Boulder, Colorado 80301-2475 . Phone (303) 443-3282 . FAX (303) 443-0367 <br />