Laserfiche WebLink
Findings of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety_ <br />for Trapper Mine <br />Explanation of Findings <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2) of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board <br />for Coal Mining, and the approved state program, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and <br />Safety or the Board must make specific written findings prior to issuance of a permit, permit <br />renewal or permit revision. These findings are based on information made available to the <br />Division that demonstrates that the applicant will be able to operate in compliance with the <br />Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Regulations promulgated pursuant to <br />the Act. <br />The findings in the following sections required by Rule 2.07.6(2) are listed in accordance with <br />that Rule. The findings and specific approvals required pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(m) are listed <br />in accordance with Rule 4 and are organized under subject or discipline subtitles. <br />This findings document has been updated for this permit revision (PR8). The following findings <br />have been reevaluated and updated if necessary to reflect changes which will occur as a result of <br />this permit revision. <br />Section A — Findings Required by Rule 2.07.6 <br />The permit application is accurate and complete. All requirements of the Act and these <br />rules have been complied with (2.07.6(2)(a)). <br />2. Based on information contained in the permit application and other information available <br />to the Division, the Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation can be feasibly <br />accomplished at the Trapper Mine (2.07.6(2)(b)). <br />4. The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal mining in the <br />general area on the hydrologic balance, as described in 2.05.6(3), has been reviewed by the <br />Division. This assessment, entitled Yampa River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact <br />Assessment (CHIA), is available for inspection at the offices of the Division. The Division <br />finds that the operations proposed under PR8 are designed to prevent damage to the <br />hydrologic balance outside the proposed permit area. <br />Page 63 of the CHIA document explains that potential spoils springs on the Trapper Mine may <br />increase total dissolved solids (TDS) in the Yampa River by 9 to 89 mg/1, depending on the <br />month. This contribution, in conjunction with TDS contributions to the Yampa River from other <br />mining operations in the watershed, will not degrade the river's waters to the 1000 mg/1 TDS <br />level, the level the Division considers as having potential for causing material damage (Page 65 <br />of the Yampa River CHIA explains the 1000 mg/1 suspect level). Pollutants other than dissolved <br />solids can also be expected to be below suspected material damage threshold levels. Therefore, <br />the Division fmds that the operations proposed in the renewal (RN7) have been designed to <br />13 <br />