2017-07-21_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1997032

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4-"'`Yestern Sinall Miners Association hOLoio�E �1NFt -Natu iti,. CO ,�142i 1 July 14, 2017 RECEIVED Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board i-AUL 21 2017 c/o Colorado Department of Natural Resources DIVISION OF RECLAMATION Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety MINING AND SAFETY 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215Denver, CO 80203 Re: Van 4 Shaft, Permit No. M-1997-032, Notice of Second Temporary Cessation Request Dear Members of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board: The Western Small Miners Association ("WSMA") appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the referenced Notice of Second Temporary Cessation Request. WSMA respectfully submits these comments to the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board ("MLRB") consideration as a Party'entitled to legal protection. WSMA is proud of its work with local, state and federal officials and regulators to promote responsible 21s' century mining and its historically strong and transparent relationship with the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety ("DRMS"). By way of background, WSMA is headquartered in Montrose County, Colorado, in the town of Naturita. Our membership demographic includes individuals who live and work in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Our membership varies greatly in occupation, including miners, ranchers, farmers, energy producers, small businesses, and conservationists. More importantly,WSMA members work long and hard against ever increasing odds to proudly provide the basic minerals and natural resources upon which our civilization depends. WSMA strives to protect our land and environment, the economic opportunities they provide and the western way of life. By way of disclosure, the WSMA demographic leads to members having ownership interest in, or employment by, mining companies, including Western Uranium Corporation("WUC"). While WSMA does not obtain disclosures of, or maintain records on, the private investments of its members, WSMA can report that WUC is not a member of WSMA. As to Second Requests for Temporary Cessation, WSMA has not undertaken its own analysis of the Van #4 site, and accordingly, makes no comments regarding the details of this specific site request. WSMA also understands the flexibility MLRB has in its rules. However,WSMA believes such Second Requests for Temporary Cessations should be granted to any applicant who meets the requirements of Colorado laws and regulations. Simply put, WSMA believes any order to deny such applications would be construed as opposite of the stated legislative intent of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act to promote mining in Colorado, would be harmful to WSMA members seeking to encourage investment and provide jobs in ' Rule 1.1(38.1),Mineral Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Hard Rock, Metal, and Designated Mining Operations.