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t�ENT F th <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />O _y <br />7 <br />BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT <br />X14 CH 3 �UNCOMPAIIGRE FIELD OFFICE <br />2465 South Townsend <br />Montrose, CO 81401 <br />www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ufo.html <br />In Reply <br />Refer to: COS05000, 3400 <br />DEC 14 2015 <br />Howard Strand <br />Management/Program Analyst <br />Office of Surface Mining, Western Region <br />1999 Broadway, Suite 3320 <br />Denver, CO 80202-3050 <br />u,�ua uwewwowwr <br />RE: Proposed Decision of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(CDRMS) SL -08 Partial Phase I Bond Release at the West Elk Mine, PN C-1980-007 <br />Dear Mr. Strand: <br />This is to inform you that my staff has reviewed the CDRMS "Proposed Decision and Findings <br />of Compliance" dated November 20, 2015. We note that CDRMS considers that there was <br />proper plugging and abandonment of 15 drill holes and backfilling and regrading of I l drill pads <br />and their associated roads and road spurs totaling 10.05 acres, and that it was all completed by <br />the end of 2014. <br />We have determined that the lands included in the bond release area were federal surface lands <br />managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) while the <br />coal mined there was federal mineral estate managed by the BLM. The drill holes and the <br />related pads and roads have served their useful purpose and are no longer necessary since the <br />underlying coal resource has been mined out and that section of the mine has been abandoned. <br />In addition, the reclamation appears to be properly carried out as reported. <br />If the GMUG is satisfied with the reclamation completed, then the BLM has no objection to the <br />Phase I Bond Release. <br />If you have any questions please contact Desty Dyer at 970-240-5302. <br />Sincerely, <br />Sara a4sn <br />Acting Field Office Manager <br />