RBC I The U.S. Forest Service is finalizing the end stages of reclamation work on the Butterfly and Burrell Mine site located in the Blanco Ranger District. The Butterfly and Burrell mine is a former uranium mine located near Coal Creek in Rio Blanco County.
Since 2007, ongoing cleanup efforts at the Butterfly and Burrell mines have included asbestos abatement, removal of structures and mine debris, safety closures of open mine adits, consolidation of mine waste, capping of mine waste, soil amendments and revegetation.
This season’s work wraps up the multi-year project and entails spot treating noxious weeds and planting native forages and shrubs. The noxious weed treatment is complete at this time and the district is working with the Colorado Correctional Industries in neighboring Rifle to provide the workforce for the two-day planting event.
Native seeds were collected on-site in 2013 and germinated in a greenhouse where they have been stored for the planting, scheduled for September.
The White River National Forest has collaborated with, and would like to thank the following agencies and organizations that provided valuable assistance through the life of this project.: The State of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety; Golder Associates Inc.; AlpineEco Nursery; the State of Colorado Correctional Industries; and the Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge Department.
Questions concerning this project should be directed to Olivia Garcia, Abandoned Mines and Lands Coordinator, at 970-945- 3220 or Ken Coffin, Blanco District Ranger, at 970-878-6001.
