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Public Notice
<br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC (MCC), P.O. Box 591, Somerset, CO 81434, (970) 929-
<br />5015, has filed a Phase II Bond Release Request Application to MCC's Mining and
<br />Reclamation Permit No. C-80-007 with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board
<br />(Board), under the provisions of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act of
<br />1979. The permit was originally issued by the Board in July 1981, and subsequently
<br />renewed in August 1986, January 1993 (effective August 1991), July 1996, July 2001,
<br />and April 2007 (effective July 2006.), and July 2011. The current five-year permit term
<br />expires July 31, 2016. The State of Colorado holds a surety reclamation bond that covers
<br />the reclamation liability of $14,133,349.30. The West Elk Mine five-year permit area
<br />contains lands in Sections 9-11,13-36, T13S, R90W, 6d' PM; and Sections 23-26, T13S,
<br />R91 W, Oh PM, and Sections 1-5, 8-12, T14S, R90W, Oh PM in Delta and Gunnison
<br />Counties. The location of the lands can be found on the USGS 7.5 minute Somerset and
<br />Minnesota Pass Quadrangle Topographic Maps. The current permit area encompasses
<br />approximately 17,154.9 acres.
<br />MCC is requesting Phase III Bond Release for reclaimed methane ventilation wells
<br />and associated road segments at the Deep Creek, Long Draw, Long Draw Saddle,
<br />and West Point Road areas. These reclaimed areas cover approximately 22.1 acres
<br />of private and National Forest System lands specifically located in portions of
<br />Sections 26, 27, 35, and 36, T13S, R90W, and portions of Sections 1 and 2, T14S,
<br />R90W, Gunnison County, Colorado. These drill sites and roads were necessary for
<br />coal exploration and methane ventilation over the past fifteen years. MCC is
<br />requesting a release of all remaining reclamation bond liability (approximately
<br />$100,000.00), for a total release of 100% of the applicable bond amount posted for
<br />those sites, -as allowed by Colorado Statute and Rule 3.03. This amount will be
<br />verified by the State of Colorado. The reclaimed areas have met the applicable
<br />vegetation bond release criteria for Phase III bond release.
<br />Reclamation of the various drill site locations and roads within MCC's permit were
<br />completed between 2002 and 2004. This included proper plugging and
<br />abandonment of drill holes, as well as backfilling and regrading of drill pad
<br />locations and roads, and replacement of salvaged topsoil. The well sites and roads
<br />proposed for bond release have been revegetated using various methods of seeding,
<br />fertilizing, and mulching, including the installation of straw and erosion control
<br />matting.
<br />A copy of the Phase III Bond Release application is available for review at the
<br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, 1313 Sherman Street, Room
<br />215 Denver, CO 80203, phone (303) 866-3567, and the Gunnison County Planning
<br />Office, 221 N. Wisconsin, Suite D, Gunnison, CO 81230. Comments or objections
<br />concerning the application should be directed to the CDRMS at the above address
<br />not later than 30 days after the first date of publication of this notice (published 4
<br />times consecutively) in order to be considered. Published 112015.
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