2017-08-08_REVISION - C1981019 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 8/8/2017
• Doc Name Note: ‎(Oversite Inspection
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• From: OSM
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: SL11
• Email Name: ZTT
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Denver Field Branch
Bond Release Evaluation Report
Company: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
Mine: Colowyo Coal Mine
Permit No: C-1981-019
Date of Inspection: July 25, 2017
Inspection Type: Phase I bond release
Weather: Overcast and cool, soft ground conditions
Operator Representative(s): Angela Aalbers and Kurtis Blunt
State Official(s): Zach Trujillo
BLM Official(s): None present
OSMRE Official(s): Tom Medlin (#562)
Background
This was a Phase I bond release inspection at the Colowyo Coal Mine in Meeker, Colorado. Tri-
state Generation and Transmission Association, Inc (Tri-State) proposes Phase I release on 129.6
acres of reclamation where it indicates backfill, regrading, topsoiling, and seeding have been
completed in accordance with the terms of its approved permit. The Colorado Division of
Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) found Tri-States's SL -11 bond release application
administratively complete on May 15, 2017.
The lands proposed for release lie within the County of Moffat, State of Colorado, Township 3
North, Range 93 West of the 6th PM, and are generally described as:
• Section 9: NW'/4 S'/2, and W1/2N '/2;
• Section 9: SE'/4 SE'/4;
• Section 10: SW'/4 SW'/4;
• Section 15: NW'/4 NW'/4; and
• Section 16: NE'/4 NE'/4.
Notification of the proposed bond release was posted in the Craig Daily Press for four
consecutive weeks, beginning February 8, 2017 and ending March 1, 2017, as well as the Rio
Blanco Herald Times, beginning February 9, 2017 and ending March 2, 2017. The subject
parcels were reclaimed in the summer and fall of 2016. The post mining land use is rangeland.
Tri-State currently posts a self -bond in the amount of $80,517,829 (SB -010) which covers the
entire mine site including the above listed area. With this application, Tri-State requests the
maximum bond release for Phase I, or 60% of the amount held for the subject parcel.
Colorado outlines the requirements for bond release at Rule 3.03.1 of the Regulations for the
Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. For Phase I, the operator must complete the
backfilling, regrading (which may include the replacement of topsoil), and drainage control of a
bonded area in accordance with the approved reclamation plan.
Prior to and upon conclusion of this evaluation I reviewed documents available through the
online permitting database maintained by DRMS including the SL -11 bond release application,
public notice affidavit of publication, pre and post -mining surface elevation cross-sections, and a
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