2014-01-09_REVISION - C1981041

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 1/9/2014
• Doc Name: Response Letter
• From: J.E. Stover & Associates, Inc
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: SL8
• Email Name: MPB
• Email Name: DIH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

J. E. STOVER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
2352 N 7th Street, Unit B
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO 81501
PHONE: [phone], FAX [phone]
MINE ENGINEERING
MINE RECLAMATION
January 6, 2014
Mr. Mike Boulay
Colorado Division or Reclamation, Mining and Safety
1313 Sherman Street, Rm 215
Denver, CO 80203
Re: Snowcap Coal Company, Inc.
Bond Release Application — SL -8
Surety Release Inspection Report
Dear Mr. Boulay:
CIVIL ENGINEERING
CONST. MANAGEMENT
RECV -D
D1 . ��{�{iecla etYion,
On behalf of Snowcap Coal Company, Inc., we are sending this letter in response to the Surety
Release Inspection Report dated December 30, 2013. The inspection report addresses DRMS's
comments and concerns regarding SL -8. Following are Snowcap's responses to some of the
DRMS' comments and concerns:
DRMS: North Decline — Sump and Diversion Ditch (18.2 acres) Page 5
... "The berms are void of vegetation and need to be seeded. It doesn't appear that the rip -
rap had been repaired at the time of bond release inspection."
SCC: Segments of the berms along the permanent channel had recently been
disturbed after a major rain event caused sediment to build up in portions of the channel. In order
to maintain the design of the channel, sediment was removed and placed on the berms. The
disturbed berms were seeded and mulched in November 2013. Maintenance on the channel,
including the segment with rip rap, was performed in September, 2013.
DRMS: Diversion Ditches located at North Portal (1.4 acres) Page 5
"Berms have no vegetation (see Photograph No. 7)
SCC: A segment of the Permanent Upper Diversion Ditch had recently been
maintained due to major rain events. Maintenance of permanent ditches and drainages are a
requirement of the permit until bond is released. The berms were disturbed during the
maintenance, but have been reseeded.
DRMS: North Portal Mine Facilities Stockpile Area (21.1 acres) Page 5
... "There is also some sedimentation occurring along the edge of and adjacent to the
Highline Canal where Grand Valley Waters Users Association has apparently placed straw
wattles in an attempt to prevent the sediment from entering the canal."
SCC: The straw wattles mentioned in the report (and seen in Photo No. 8) are not
associated with Snowcap drainage or reclamation. These wattles were placed by Xcel Energy
contractors in association with their reclamation project (removal and reclamation of their cooling
pond) during the summer of 2013.