HomeMy WebLinkAbout20120260.tiff STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources u
1313 Sherman St.,Room 215 W
ELD ELµn COUNTY COLORADO
SIONERS DIVISION OF
Denver,Colorado 80203 L QM M I$ RECLAMATION
Phone:(303)866-3567 JAN I e MINING
FAX:(303)832-8106 BIZl A 3 12
SAFETY
January 10,2012 RECEIVED John W.Hickenlooper
Governor
Mike King
Executive Director
Weld County Clerk and Recorder Loretta E.Pineda
County Clerk Director
918 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Room 202
P.O. Box 459
Greeley, CO 80631
Re: Keenesburg Strip Mine (Permit No. C-1981-028)
Bond Release Application No. 6 (SL-6)
Dear Weld County Clerk and Recorder:
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety requests that you maintain the
enclosed "Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance" for the Keenesburg Strip Mine on
file for public review for sixty(60) days.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me. Thank you for your
cooperation.
Sincerely,
O1/72
Robert D. Zuber
Environmental Protection Specialist
Enclosure
C-SL-15A C198ffi8_1LE_01102012124035.docx
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Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver•Grand Junction•Durango Active and Inactive Mines
COLORADO COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION,MINING AND SAFETY
RECLAMATION
MINING 1313 Sherman Street,Room 215,Denver,Colorado 80203,(303)866-3567
SA ETY
COAL MINING PERMIT -BOND RELEASE DECISION
Keenesburg Strip Mine, Coors Energy Company
Permit No. C-1981-028
The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety has proposed the decision stated below. Provided there
are no objections,the decision will become final in accordance with the requirements of Rule 3.03.2(5)(b).
Bond Release No. 6 Decision: Approve
Submittal Date: March 3, 2011 Decision Date: January 4, 2012
• Description of Release: Phase III Release of Approximately 42 Acres of Reclaimed Area
REVISED INFORMATION
APPLICATION PAGES MAPS/EXHIBITS
CHANGE IN REVISED
ACREAGE TOTAL ACREAGE PERFORMANCE BOND
Disturbed: 0.00 Disturbed: 271.41 Prior Liability: $1,913,161.94
Affected: 0.00 Affected: 271.41 Change in Liability: ($44,735.78)
Permit: 0.00 Permit: 555.40 Revised Liability $1,868,426.16
State: 0.00 State: 0.00 Bond Held $2,001,475.00
Federal: 0.00 Federal: 0.00
Private: 0.00 Private: 555.40
RELEASED ACRES PER BOND RELEASE(BUT REMAINING IN PERMIT)
State Surface: State Mineral: 34.96
Private Surface: 42.29 Private Mineral: 7.33
County Surface: County Mineral:
Federal Surface: Federal Mineral:
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION,MINING AND SAFETY
Date: 00//Z
yep e'-ntative
C-SL-08_CI 981028_JLE 01102012124052.docx
Phase III Bond Release
Proposed Decision
and
Findings of Compliance
for the
Keenesburg Strip Mine
SL-06
PERMIT NUMBER C-1981-028
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Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-3567
Loretta E. Pineda, Director
Prepared by
Jared L. Ebert and Robert D. Zuber
Environmental Protection Specialists
January 4, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
I. PROCEDURES AND SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW PROCESS 2
II. CRITERIA AND SCHEDULE FOR BOND RELEASE 3
III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS 4
IV. PROPOSED DECISION 8
APPENDIX A CIRCES Cost Estimate,
INTRODUCTION
This document is the proposed decision of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
(the Division) in response to a request for a Phase III bond release at the Keenesburg Strip Mine,
Division permit number C-1981-028. The package contains four parts:
1. Procedures and summary of the review process;
2. Criteria and schedule for bond release;
3. Observations and findings of the Division regarding compliance with the bond release
requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and regulations
promulgated thereunder (Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal
Mining); and
4. The Division's proposed decision on the request for bond release.
Detailed information about the review process can be found in the Act and the Regulations. All Rules
referenced within this document are contained within the Regulations. Detailed information about the
mining and reclamation operations can be found in the permit application on file at the Division offices
located at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, in Denver, Colorado.
The Keenesburg Strip Mine is a former surface mine that is now in reclamation. It is permitted and
operated by CEC. The Keenesburg Strip Mine permit area covers approximately 612.50 acres. The
total approved disturbed area is 439.00 acres. The bond release area consists of nine parcels (parcels 2,
5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 19)totaling 42.29 acres. The ownership of the land for which bond release has
been requested is private. The coal mined from the requested area was owned privately and by the State
of Colorado. Reclamation for which bond release has been requested was conducted in 1987, 1995,
1998, 1999, 2000,2002, and 2003 (including re-seeding).
Page 1
I. PROCEDURES AND SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW PROCESS
CEC applied for a Phase III bond release under the Colorado Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act
following reclamation of the Keenesburg Strip Mine. The mine is located in Weld County in all or
portions of Sections 2 and 11 in Township 2 North, Range 64 West as well as in Sections 25 and 36 in
Township 3 North,Range 64 West(6th Principal Meridian).
CEC has previously requested and been approved for five bond releases. Bond release SL-01 was
approved on August 11, 1998 for Phase I on 179 acres and Phase II on 111 acres. Bond release SL1
released $1,787,113.00 of the reclamation liability.
A second bond release, SL-02, was approved August 31, 2005. Bond release SL2 approved Phase I
release on 51.76 acres. The Division approved $287,918.00 for release from the reclamation liability for
ten reclamation parcels included in the request.
A third bond release application, SL-03, was approved on April 18, 2006. Bond release SL3 was a Phase
II bond release 53.90 acres. The Division approved the release of$130,189.80 of the reclamation
liability for Phase II bond release on ten reclamation parcels.
A fourth bond release application, SL-04,was approved on January 8, 2010. Bond release SL4 was a
Phase III bond release of 165.29 acres. The Division approved the release of$167,911.00 of the
reclamation liability for bond release on 17 reclamation parcels.
A fifth bond release application, SL-05, was approved on September 10, 2010. Bond release SL-05 was
a Phase II bond release of 51.05 acres. The Division approved the release of$120,385.00 of the
reclamation liability for bond release on 11 reclamation parcels.
An application for Phase III bond release, SL-06, was received by the Division on March 3, 2011. The
application was deemed complete on March 25, 2011, after the Division received proof of publication of
the applicant's public notice. CEC published notice of the bond release application in the Fort Lupton
Press once weekly for four consecutive weeks,beginning February 23, 2011. CEC also notified land
owners within and adjacent to the mine permit area and other interested parties of the application for
bond release, as required by Rule 3.03.20). Bond release SL-06 will potentially release 42.29 acres.
The Division proposes the release of$44,735.78 of the reclamation liability for bond release on the nine
reclamation parcels(see discussion below).
No comments, written objections, or requests for an informal conference regarding the bond release
application were received by the Division.
The Division scheduled and conducted a bond release inspection on April 21, 2011. The site inspection
was conducted in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(2). The inspection was attended by the following: Don
MacDonald and Danny Kipp, representing CEC; Robert Zuber and Janet Binns of the Division: and
Mike Savage of Savage and Savage Inc., a CEC consultant.
Page 2
Representatives from the following agencies were invited to the inspection but did not attend: the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
Division, Solid Waste Unit(CDPHE-SWU); and the Weld County Department of Public Health and
Environment, Solid Waste Division.
Besides CEC, there are no other land owners for the area impacted by this bond release application.
On December 9, 2011 the Division sent an adequacy review letter in regard to the SL-06 submittal. The
letter indicated that cover, productivity and diversity (species composition) standards were achieved in
the 2009 data, and in the 2010 data the productivity and diversity standards were achieved. However,
the adequacy letter expressed a concern regarding vegetation cover data collected in 2010. The data for
the vegetation monitoring in 2010 indicated the cover standard was not met because CEC included
cover attributed by Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in the total cover values. The Division's guidelines
on the management of noxious weeds, which are incorporated into our rules (Rule 4.15.7(5)(b)),
indicate that noxious weeds cannot be included in the calculation for total cover. Cheatgrass is on the
noxious weed list of both Weld County and the State of Colorado, thus it should not have been included
in the total cover values attributing to the revegetation success.
The Division met with CEC on December 8, 2011 regarding this issue. During the meeting CEC
informed the Division that they had conducted revegetation monitoring in 2011 to measure vegetation
cover and diversity for the parcels requested for release in SL-06. After the meeting and based on
consultation between Division staff and management, the Division determined that it would be
acceptable for CEC to use the data collected in 2011 to meet the revegetation success criteria for cover
and for species diversity.
On December 22, 2011 the Division received a response to the adequacy review from CEC. Based on
the review of their 2011 data, CEC met the revegetation success standards for both cover and diversity.
Further information and analysis of CEC's revegetation success measurements is discussed below.
II. CRITERIA AND SCHEDULE FOR BOND RELEASE
PHASE I
Rule 3.03.1(2)(a) states, "Up to sixty percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released when the
permittee successfully completes backfilling, regrading, and drainage control in accordance with the
approved reclamation plan." With regard to Phase I bond release, the approved reclamation plan for the
Keenesburg Strip Mine calls for backfilling mine pits to the approximate original contour (permit page
113). All parcels included in SL-06 have previously received Phase I bond release approval.
PHASE II
Page 3
•
Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) states, "Up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released upon
the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use and which meets the
approved success standard for cover...based on statistically valid data collected during a single year of
the liability period." In regard to Phase II bond release, Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) also states, "No more than 60
percent of the bond shall be released so long as the lands to which the release would be applicable are
contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of pre-mining
levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent non-mined areas."
The approved reclamation plan is found in Section 2.05.4 of the permit application. The required topsoil
replacement thickness is two feet. The approved post-mining land use is rangeland. The Dugout Pond,
perimeter ditches, and Sediment Pond#2 have been approved to remain as permanent structures.
All parcels included in the SL-06 application have previously received Phase II bond release approval.
PHASE III
Rule 3.03.1(2)(c) states that the final portion of performance bond, "shall be released when the permittee
has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in accordance with this
approved reclamation plan, and the final inspection procedures of 3.03.2 have been satisfied. This shall
not be before the expiration of the period specified for revegetation responsibility in 3.02.3." Rule
3.03.1(4) states, "No bond shall be fully released until all reclamation requirements of these Rules and
the Act are fully met..." The same rule goes on to state, "No acreage shall be released from the permit
area until all surface coal mining and reclamation operations on that acreage have been completed in
accordance with the approved reclamation plan."
The Keenesburg Strip Mine reclamation plan identifies the majority of the area that is proposed for
release by SL-06 (parcels 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, and 16) as having a postmining land use of rangeland.
One parcel, parcel 19, has been approved for a future land use of industrial/commercial, and it will
support gas well development including drilling pads,roads, and support facilities.
Approval of Phase III release is contingent upon revegetation success. The criteria for determining
success are discussed in Section 2.05.4 of the permit as well as in the following sections of these
findings of compliance.
III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS
Revegetation
Permit Page 2.05.4-116b defines the required cover standard for the Keensburg Strip Mine. The permit
states, "Reclamation areas will be considered successfully reclaimed if the total vegetative cover on the
reclaimed area is not less than 90 percent of the predicted calculated cover value with 90 percent
Page 4
statistical confidence using the equation: y=0.0173x^3 -0.8592x^2+14.56x-47.015, where x is the
cumulative value of precipitation from September to July of the following year, and y is the resultant
vegetation cover." This cover standard is in agreement with Rule 4.15.8.
The Keensburg Mine permit had previously utilized comparison of an approved reference area (Rule
4.15.7(3)), known as the Osgood reference area, for revegetation success of the reclaimed areas.
Comparison of the Osgood reference area was not ideal due to a successional change of species
composition in the reference area to a community heavily dominated by sand sagebrush and a reduction
of forage grasses and forb species over the years. A change in surface ownership of the property upon
which the reference area was located caused concerns regarding management of the reference area. The
permittee proposed revegetation success standards for vegetative cover and herbaceous productivity
based on a formula derived from historic data collected on the Osgood reference area and correlation to
precipitation records (TR37, approved June 15, 2006).
Cover
Vegetative cover data was collected in August 2009 and in August of 2010 in accordance with the
methodology approved in the permit and Rule 4.15.11(1). Precipitation is measured by CEC at the
weather station located near the mine office. Precipitation measurements between September of 2008
and July of 2009 totaled 13.71 inches as reported on page 11 of the 2009 Quantitative Vegetation Study
submitted with SL-06 and reported in the 2009 Annual Hydrology Report. Calculation of the required
vegetative cover standard for 2009 using 13.71 inches of precipitation resulted in a reclamation success
cover value of 35.69%. Ninety percent of this calculated value is 32.12%.
Total precipitation from September of 2009 to July of 2010 was measured to be 14.65 inches as reported
on page 7 of the 2010 Quantitative Vegetation Study submitted in SL-06 and reported on page 12 of the
2010 Annual Hydrology Report. Calculation of the required vegetative cover standard for 2010 using
14.65 inches or precipitation resulted in a reclamation success cover value of 36.28% Ninety percent of
this calculated value is 32.65%.
The permittee sampled nine parcels as one bond release block (BRB) based upon the date of seeding.
The block was comprised of parcels seeded between 1998, 1999 and 2000. These parcels consisted of
Reclamation Areas 2,5,6,7,9,10,15,16, and 19. CEC reports the mean total vegetative cover for 2009
was 60.96%. and the mean total cover for 2010 was 51.91%. CEC included cover attributed to annuals
and noxious species in the total cover values. The Division is unable to allow plant species listed on the
State Noxious Weed list (Department of Agriculture, Conservation Services Division, 8 CCR 1206-2:
Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Actl) to
contribute to reclamation success. The Division Guidelines; Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine
Bond Release issues, April 18, 1995, specifically state that, "under no condition will noxious weeds
count towards the success standard. The cover and production component provided by noxious weeds
should be deleted from both reference and reclaimed area data prior to success comparison for those
parameters.
Correction of CEC's data to remove cover contributed by noxious species as defined by Weld County
Weed Program and Colorado Department of Agriculture, results in 52.66% live vegetative cover for
Page 5
2009, and 28.65%live vegetative cover for 2010.
Given this, reclamation success was achieved for cover for 2009 on the reclaimed parcels, but not for
2010. The sample data was sampled to statistical adequacy for both years of sampling, 2009 and 2010.
The Division guidelines and Rule 4.15.11(2)(b) allow for reverse null analysis if the reclaimed sample
mean is less than 90 percent of the relevant standard. For 2010, the relevant cover standard is 32.65%
Live Vegetative Cover (36.28% X 0.90). Applying the "standard null" t-test formula as found in Rule
4.15.11(2)(b), the Division found that the live vegetative cover for 2010 does not meet the required
cover success criteria.
As discussed above in order to address this issue, CEC conducted revegetation monitoring for the same
parcels in August of 2011 to measure vegetative cover and diversity (species composition). After a
meeting with CEC and a discussion with Division management, staff agreed that the vegetation data
collected in 2011 could be used to measure reclamation success for the cover and species diversity
standard. This determination was made based on Rule 4.15.7(5) which required success criteria be met
for a minimum of two years out of the last four year of reclamation liability. The 2011 data for cover
and diversity fall within this timeframe and is therefore acceptable.
In 2011, the proposed bond release reclamation parcels were sampled using the same methodology used
in 2009 and 2010. Precipitation measurements between September of 2010 and July of 2011 totaled
13.37 inches as reported on page 2 of the2011 Quantitative Vegetation Study submitted as a response to
the Division's adequacy review received on December 22, 2011. Calculation of the required vegetative
cover standard for 2011using 13.37 inches of precipitation resulted in a reclamation success cover value
of 35.41%. Ninety percent of this calculated value is 31.87%. After the removal of Cheatgrass from
the data, the vegetation cover was measured to be 42.80% which exceeds the cover success standard.
The sample size was found to be adequate using the formula from Rule 4.15.1 I(2)(a).
In summary, the reclamation success standards for cover was achieved based on the 2009 and 2011 data.
Production
The reclamation success criteria for herbaceous production on the Keenesburg Mine is based upon a
predictive equation based on cumulative applicable precipitation values. The formula is
y=0.3749x2.2485, where x is the cumulative precipitation from September-July. Total herbaceous
production success standard for 2009 is 135.07 g/m2 (1205 pounds/acre, 13.71 inches applicable
precipitation). The 2009 production data was collected to statistical adequacy. The mean total
herbaceous production measured in 2009 was 261.13 g/m2, (2330 pounds/acre). Productivity was
achieved on the reclaimed areas in 2009.
Total herbaceous production success standard for 2010 is 156.78 g/m2(1399 pounds/acre, 14.65 inches
applicable precipitation). The mean total herbaceous production measured in 2010 was 175.20
g/m2(1563 pounds/acre). Productivity was achieved on the reclaimed areas in 2010.
Page 6
Diversity(Species Composition)
The diversity standard for the site is described on page 116b of the permit. As stated on permit page
116b, the reclaimed community will have "at least four perennial species of which three are warm
season perennial grasses and one is a cool season perennial grass. No one component of the above
species shall comprise greater than 40% relative importance nor less than 3% relative importance."
Relative importance is measured using relative cover. Relative cover is defined as the vegetative cover
contributed by individual species divided by the total vegetative cover.
The 2009 sample data measured seven applicable species contributing greater than 3% relative cover,
and none of these seven species exceeding 40% relative cover. The species and their relative cover
contribution are: Prairie Sandreed (31.17% relative cover), Ragweed (8.04% rel.cov.), Switchgrass
(7.12% rel.cov.), Western wheatgrass (6.56% rel.cov.), Kochia (4.91% rel.cov.), Blue grama (4.29%
rel.cov.), and Sand Bluestem (4.05%). Prairie Sandreed, Switchgrass, Blue Grama, and Sand Bluestem
are warm season grasses. Western wheatgrass is a cool season grass. The species diversity standard
was met on the requested parcels for 2009 sampling. Two other species were present in more than 3%
relative cover; Cheatgrass (11.84% rel.cov.) and Annual sunflower (7.48%), however, Cheatgrass is on
Weld County and the State noxious species list, so does not contribute to the species composition
success, and Annual sunflower is an annual, so it too does not contribute to the species composition
success.
The 2011 sample data measured six species that contribute to the species diversity success for the
requested parcels; Western wheatgrass (4.34%.), Sand Bluestem (9.44% rel.cov.), Blue Grama (5.90%
rel.cov.), Mountain Brome (3.06% rel.cov.), Prairie Sandreed (39.03% rel. coy.) and Switchgrass
(3.32% rel.cov.). Prairie Sandreed, Switchgrass, Sand Bluestem, and Blue grama are all warm season
grasses, while Western wheatgrass meets the requirement for one cool season grass. The species
diversity standard was met on the requested parcels for 2011 sampling.
In summary,the species diversity success standard was met both the 2009 and 2011 data.
Woody Plant Density
For the site, no woody plant species are required to be established for the reclamation.
Revegetation Summary and Conclusion
Based upon a review of the mine permit, CEC's bond release application, CEC's response to the
adequacy review, and site inspections, the Division finds that CEC has established vegetation in
accordance with the approved reclamation plan. Also, CEC has established vegetation that supports the
approved post mine land use and meets the approved success standards for vegetative cover, vegetative
productivity, and species diversity.
Water Quality Impacts
Regarding groundwater resources, the Protection of Hydrologic Balance section of the permit
Page 7
application predicts that no"appreciable effect on the hydrologic balance of the area is anticipated as a
result of the mining and/or reclamation operations." (page 125) Furthermore, due to topographical and
geological conditions on the site, namely flat slopes and sandy soil, there is little surface water runoff
and very little probability of impact to surface water resources from the Keenesburg Strip Mine.
CEC submits a surface and groundwater report to the Division annually. In previous reports,including
reviews of the annual hydrology reports as well as previous bond release reviews, the Division has
concluded that the areas under consideration for bond release are not contributing suspended solids to
streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of pre-mining conditions. Furthermore, Sediment
Pond#2 and the Dugout Pond at the Keenesburg Strip Mine have not discharged in many years.
Division assessments and monitoring data support the prediction of no impacts to groundwater. In a
2005 analysis of subsurface hydrology at and near the Keenesburg Strip Mine, the Division concluded
that the mine does not have the potential to negatively impact groundwater and has not required
establishment of a groundwater point of compliance (Memorandum to 2004 AHR file, dated July 6,
2005). If spoil leachate or ash leachate migrated from the pit through eolian sand, Ennis alluvium, or
the Laramie sandstone, attenuation and dispersion would cause levels of total dissolved solids (TDS)
and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in groundwater to be near pre-mining conditions within a few
hundred feet of the Keenesburg Strip Mine pits. Monitoring of groundwater quality in wells down-
gradient from the reclaimed pits has indicated that the 2008 TDS values were well below the pre-
mining levels.
Based upon this information, the Division finds that pollution of surface water and subsurface water
is not occurring and the probability of such pollution occurring in the future is low.
Summary and Conclusions
Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections,
the Division finds that CEC has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations
in accordance with the approved reclamation plan and met all requirements of the Act and the Rules.
IV. PROPOSED DECISION
Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve CEC's request for a Phase III bond
release for the Keenesburg Strip Mine. This proposed decision will release the applicant from liability
for all reclamation work on the nine applicable parcels (parcels 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 19) totaling
42.29 acres.
The Division currently holds a financial warranty in the amount of$2,001,475.00. During review of the
RN-06 application, the Division recalculated the financial liability amount to $1,913,161.94. The
actual financial warranty amount held was never reduced to the calculated liability amount. In SL-06,
Page 8
Coors Energy Company has requested a bond release of $63,799.00. The Division will approve the
CEC requested amount of bond release. However, the Division calculated the remaining liability
amount to be $1,868,426.16 given the release of the requested acres in SL-06. This is $44,735.78 less
than the liability amount determined during RN-06. The remaining bond amount of $1,937,676.00
(current bond amount of$2,001,475.00 minus the requested $63,799.00) shall be sufficient to assure
completion of the remaining reclamation work at the site if the work had to be performed by the
Division, including the cost of reestablishing vegetation on any revegetated areas should those areas fail.
The following tables summarize the history of liability at the Keenesburg Strip Mine and the financial
warranty amount to be held once SL-06 is finalized.
Table 1: History of Liability at the Keenesburg Strip Mine
Phase Release Acres released Reclamation
Liability
Original Applicable $4,402,022.0
Liability Amount
SL1 I and II 179(PI)and 111 (PII) -$1,787,113.00
TR32 I&II tasks 4.5 -$27,384.00
Bond Reduction
MT4 +$140,963.00
SL2 1 51.75 -$287,918.00
SL3 II 53.9 -$130,189.80
RN5 +$17,056.80
SR -$37,666.00
SL4 III 165.29 -$167,911.00
SL5 II 51.05 -$120,385.00
RN6 -$88,313.06
SL6 III 42.29 -$44,735.78
Remaining liability
$1,868,426.16
Table 2. SL-06 Bond Reduction Amount
Current Bond Amount Held $2,001,475.00
SL-06 Bond Amount Reduction -$63,799.00
Bond amount after SL-06 is finalized $1,937,676.00
Reclamation work that remains to be done at the site includes completion of backfill and grading of the
remaining portions of Pit B; ripping and regrading of interior access roads; topsoil replacement on Pit B
regraded areas, spoil pile footprint, and regraded access roads and seeding of all topsoiled areas; grading
and seeding of topsoil stockpile footprints; and structural demolition of facilities area. Details of the
Keenesburg Mine's reclamation plan may be found in Section 2.05.4 (p. 113) of the permit. Sediment
Page 9
Pond 2, the Dugout Pond, and the East and West perimeter diversion ditches are approved to remain
permanently.
Any person with a valid legal interest which might be adversely affected by this proposed decision may
request a formal public hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board in accordance with Rule
3.03.2(6). Public notice of this proposed decision will be published twice in the Fort Lupton Press as
soon as possible. Requests for public hearing must be submitted to the Division in writing within thirty
days of the first publication in the Fort Lupton Press. If no hearing is requested within those thirty days,
the Division's decision will become final.
Page
10
APPENDIX A
CIRCES Cost Estimate
COST SUMMARY
Task description: Cost summary
Site: Keenesburg Strip Mine Permit Action: SL6 Permit/Job#: C1981028
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Task#: 000 State: Colorado Abbreviation: None
Date: 12/29/2011 County: Weld Filename: C028-000
User: JLE
Agency or organization name: DBMS
TASK LIST(DIRECT COSTS]
Task Form Fleet Task
Description Used Size Hours Cost
009 final grade 49 acres long term spoil area GRADER 1 35.57 $4,720.00
010 Haul 102,450 Cu.yd.Topsoil to longterm spoil pile SCRAPERI I 84.52 $147,537.38
area
012 Final grade 9 acres of topsoil pile A-3 GRADER 1 6.53 $890.00
018 Push topsoil to powder magazine DOZER I 0.60 $122.46
033 Haul 4630 Cu.Yd.to facilities area SCRAPERI 1 4.85 $3,796.26
039 Rip 4.2 miles access road RIPPER 1 16.50 $3,663.00
040 Haul 80.248 cu.yd. topsoil to access road SCRAPERI 1 50.47 $80,371.38
048 Seal 7 wells BOREHOLE 1 16.00 $6,120.40
051 Seed&re-seed parcels that have been Phase I bond REVEGE I 17.50 $18,189.18
released
054 Final grade facilities(8 ac.)and access rd.(29 ac) GRADER I 26.86 $3,612.00
058 Facilities and structural demolition DEMOLISH I 50.00 $249,959.83
059 mobilization/demobilization of equipment MOBILIZE 16 3.60 $9,737.33
05a Backfill Pit B(check remainng volume 2010 ARR) SCRAPERI I 161.54 $271,549.95
05b Spoil backfilled on pit B but not bond released SCRAPERI 1 83.24 $139,924.33
060 Water monitoring during liabilty period DEMOLISH 1 40.00 $51,860.88
061 Clean sediment from Pond 2,dispose in Pit B TRUCKI I 1.67 $689.35
07a Haul 165,210 cu.yd topsoil to Pit B SCRAPERI 1 114.25 $168,572.63
38a Pick up and haul asphalt from access road to pit B TRUCKI I 23.86 $18,780.73
42a Rip 10,480 feet of internal roads RIPPER 1 16.23 $3,603.00
45a Haul topsoil to interior access roads SCRAPERI 1 57.61 $53,401.91
51a Seed 8.76 acres(parcels 23 and 29) REVEGE 1 9.00 $7,332.30
536 Seed 226 acres remaining disturbed area REVEGE I 226.00 $235,573.36
56a Final grade 31.1 acre misc.areas GRADER 1 22.58 $2,996.00
SUBTOTALS: 1068.98 $$1,483,003.66
INDIRECT COSTS
OVERHEAD AND PROFIT:
Liability insurance: 2.02 Total= $29,956.67
Performance bond: 1.05 Total= $15,571.54
Job superintendent: 555.49 Total= $32,940.56
Profit: 10.00 Total= $148,300.37
TOTAL O&P= $226,769.14
CONTRACT AMOUNT(direct+O&P)= $1,709,772.80
Cost Summary Worksheet Cont'd Task#000 Page 2 of 2
LEGAL-ENGINEERING-PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
Financial warranty processing(legal/related costs): 500.00 Total= 500.00
Engineering work and/or contract/bid preparation: 4.25 Total= $72,665.34
Reclamation management and/or administration: 5.00 $85,488.64
CONTINGENCY: 0.00 Total= $0.00
TOTAL INDIRECT COST= $385,423.12
TOTAL BOND AMOUNT(direct+indirect)= $1,868,426.78
CIRCES Cost Estimating Software
Page I of 2
REVEGETATION WORK
Task description: Seed 8.76 acres(parcels 23 and 29)
Site: Keenesburg Strip Mine Permit Action: SL6 Pennit/Job#: C1981028
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Task#: 51A State: Colorado Abbreviation: None
Date: 8/17/2011 County: Weld Filename: C028-51a
User: JLE
Agency or organization name: DRMS
FERTILIZING
Materials
Units/
Description Acre Unit Cost/Unit Cost/Acre
Manure,43.56 tons/ac.(MEANS 32 91 13.23 0.03 acre $18,295.20 $548.86
4450)
Total Fertilizer
Materials
Cost/Acre $548.86
Application
Description _ Cost/Acre
Manure,tractor spreader(MEANS 32 91 13.23 4450) $82.30
Total Fertilizer Application Cost/Acre $82.30
TILLING
Description Cost/Acre
$
Total Tilling Cost/Acre $0.00
SEEDING
Rate—
Seed Mix PLS Seeds Cost/Acre
LBS/ perSQ.
FT
Acre
Indiangrass-Cheyenne 1.50 4.57 $13.50
Switchgrass-Blackwell 0.50 4.47 $2.60
Blue Grama-Lovington 0.50 8.16 $5.32
Indian Ricegrass-Paloma 1.00 3.24 $8.53
Little Bluestem-Native 0.50 2.98 _$6.99
Sideoats Grama-Butte 1.50 4.92 $16.35
Sand Bluestem-Garden Co. 2.00 5.19 _ $30.00
Sorghum,Hybr. Frg. -Bundle King IV 5.00 2.87 $3.75
Coneflower,Prairie 0.30 8.15 $10.70
Thickspike Wheatgrass-Critana 0.30 1.06 $1.52
Prairie Sandreed-Goshen 1.50 9.40 $16.50
CIRCES Cost Estimating Software
Reveg Worksheet Cont'd Task#51A A Page 2 of 2
Totals Seed Mix 14.60 55.02 $115.75
Application
Description Cost/Acre
Drill seeding{DMG} $90.11
Total Seed Application Cost/Acre 590.11
MULCHING and MISCELLANEOUS
Materials
Units/
Description Acre Unit Cost/Unit Cost/Acre
$ $
Total Mulch Materials Cost/Acre I $0.00
Application
Description Cost/Acre
S
Total Mulch Application Cost/Acre $0.00
NURSERY STOCK PLANTING
No / Type and Size Planting Fertilizer
Common Name Acre Cost Pellet Cost Cost/Acre
Totals Nursery Stock Cost I Acre $0.00
JOB TIME AND COST
No.of Acres: 8.76 Cost/Acre: $837.02
Estimated Failure Rate: 0% Cost/Acre*: $205.86
*Selected Replanting Work Items: SEEDING
Initial Job Cost: $7,332.30
Reseeding Job Cost: $0.00
Total Job Cost: $7,332.30
Job Hours: 9.00
CIRCES Cost Estimating Software
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