2016-04-11_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 4.12 Slides and Other Damage Because of the mining technique used at the Colowyo operation and the inherent nature of the coal geology, no natural barriers will be necessary. At any time a slide occurs within the permit area which may have a potential adverse affect on public property, health, safety, or the environment, Colowyo will notify the Division or other appropriate governmental agencies and comply with any remedial measures necessary. Higher than normal precipitation occurred in northwest Colorado in 1984 and 1985 causing numerous landslides and slope failures throughout the region. One such slide occurred on a section of the paved haul road and remedial actions were necessary to stabilize the area. For further information regarding the remedial action, refer to Section 2.05.3 and Exhibit 17, Haul Road Facilities Modifications. This area has remained stable since implementation of the remedial measures. At approximately 6:29 pm on June 30, 2012 Colowyo's Meteorological Station recorded wind gusts up to 81.65 miles per hour. Within several minutes, Colowyo employees identified smoke coming from the area immediately North of the mine access road West of the Lower Administration building. After securing the scene for the safety of employees and the local responder crews including BLM, Moffat County and Rio Blanco County resources, Colowyo supervisors immediately sent heavy equipment to the Eastern and Western extents of the area actively burning and constructed fire lines approximately 20 feet wide along a defendable perimeter. The source of the fire was determined to be power lines contacting the ground due to a power pole being snapped in half on the 25KV White River Electric Association line that runs parallel with the mine access road on the North side of the road. This line provides power to the Gossard Loadout Area and associated facilities in the Axial Basin. In 2012, approximately 5 acres within Colowyo's permit boundary was affected by the moderate intensity fire as shown on Figure 4.12 -1. The area is comprised of a mix of wheatgrass and low density sagebrush. Additional surface disturbances within the permit boundary were created as a result of the necessity to facilitate replacement of the broken power pole, re- hanging of the lines, and access corridors on the Western and Eastern side of the fire for construction of the fire lines. Approximately 26 additional acres burned outside of Colowyo's permit boundary on Colowyo private property, primarily in low density sagebrush rangeland. A few acres of inactive wheat fields were also burned comprised mostly of volunteer winter wheat. The relatively low intensity nature of the fire does not appear to warrant or require supplemental seeding within the permit boundary, however the areas impacted by the fire line and power pole repair access will be smoothed over as soon as possible and broadcast seeded with the approved sagebrush steppe reclamation seed mix as fall approaches. In 2013, approximately 0.96 acres within Colowyo's permit boundary (outside the disturbance boundary) were affected by a small intensity wildland fire shown on Figure 4.12 -2. The area that was affected was comprised of a mix of Gambel's Oakbrush, Mountain Mahogany, and low density sagebrush. A small area of 2011 reclamation was disturbed by Colowyo personnel to create an access to the fire and to also create a fire line to control the fire from spreading. Colowyo promptly repair the access road through the reclamation and reseeded it with the approved seed mixture soon after extinguishing the fire. Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.12 -1 Revision Date: 11/11/13 Revision No.: MR -130