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<br />treatment system, road and associated discharge structures will result in approximately 19.0 acres
<br />of new surface disturbance on .1 acres of private land and 18.9 acres of State owned land. The
<br />passive treatment system is proposed to remain in use as long as it is needed to provide treatment
<br />for mine water discharge. Once discharge ceases, man-made discharge structures will be removed
<br />and modifications will be made to the cell embankments to provide for flow through, with the cells
<br />and associated ponded areas and wetlands remaining as permanent habitat enhancement features.
<br />The applicant is proposing additional surface disturbance outside of the area currently approved for
<br />disturbance.
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<br />The underground coal mining operation is on land located approximately 23 miles Southwest of
<br />Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The permit area is further described as follows:
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<br />In portions of Sections 7, 8, 9, T4N, R86W; Sections 32 and 33, T6N, R86W; Sections 23, 24, 25,
<br />26, 27, 34, 35 and 36 in T5N, R87W; and all of T5N, R86W with the exception of Sections 34, 35,
<br />and 36.
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<br />The above-mentioned tracts of land are shown on the following USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle
<br />map(s): Mount Harris, Milner, Cow Creek, Dunckley, Rattlesnake Butte, Oak Creek.
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<br />Because the above referenced technical revision application may incorporate additional lands into
<br />the permit area or might otherwise alter previously approved permit conditions or mitigation
<br />measures, we are requesting your agency's evaluation of the proposal. Your comments and
<br />concerns relating to the adequacy of fish and wildlife resources information, the fish and wildlife
<br />plan, and the reclamation plan as it relates to fish and wildlife considerations, including potential
<br />impacts to threatened or endangered species, are requested. If wildlife habitat is the proposed
<br />postmining land use, we request your evaluation of any changes to proposed woody plant stocking
<br />levels, planting arrangements, and methods for mitigation of potential adverse impacts.
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<br />Pertinent portions of the permit application are available electronically on our web site:
<br />http://mining.state.co.us/Reports/MiningData/Pages/ImagedDocumentData.aspx Documents can
<br />be sorted by name or by Section/Exhibit number. A user’s guide for our imaging system is also
<br />available in pdf format at the same web address. Please advise us if you require additional
<br />information.
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<br />The applicant is required to publish notice in a local newspaper that this application has been
<br />deemed complete. At the time of publication of this notice, the applicant is additionally required to
<br />place a copy of this application at the Routt County Clerk and Recorder, P.O. Box 773598,
<br />Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, and at the Division office. For additional information or to provide
<br />written comments, contact the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Room 215,
<br />1313 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado 80203, (303) 866-3567. In order for us to comply with
<br />regulatory time frames, we request that comments be submitted within fifteen (15) days of this
<br />letter. If no comments are received by then, we will proceed on the assumption that you have no
<br />concerns with, or objections to, the applicant's proposal.
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