2018-09-04_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 9/4/2018
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance
• From: DRMS
• To: CAM Mining, LLC
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Email Name: LDS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

30

Findings of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
for the
West Elk Mine

Explanation of Findings

Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2) of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board
for Coal Mining, and the approved state program, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and
Safety or the Board must make specific written findings prior to issuance of a permit, permit
renewal or permit revision. These findings are based on information made available to the
Division that demonstrates that the applicant will be able to operate in compliance with the
Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Regulations promulgated pursuant to
the Act.

The findings in the following sections required by Rule 2.07.6(2) are listed in accordance with
that Rule. The findings and specific approvals required pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(m) are listed
in accordance with Rule 4 and are organized under subject or discipline subtitles.

This findings document has been updated for this permit revision. The following findings have
been reevaluated and updated if necessary to reflect changes which will occur as a result of this
permit revision.

Section A - Rule 2.07.6

1. The permit application is accurate and complete. All requirements of the Act and these
rules have been complied with (2.07.6(2)(a)).

2. Based on information contained in the permit application and other information available
to the Division, the Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation can be feasibly
accomplished at the West Elk Mine (2.07.6(2)(b)).

3. The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal mining in the
general area on the hydrologic balance, as described in 2.05.6(3), has been made by the
Division. This assessment entitled “Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study - North Fork of
the Gunnison River”, is available for inspection at the offices of the Division. The
Division finds that the operations proposed under the application have been designed to
prevent damage to the hydrologic balance outside the proposed permit area. Please refer
to Section B.III (Hydrologic Balance) of this document for additional discussion of the
predicted hydrologic consequences of mining operations at the West Elk Mine (2.05.6(3)
and 4.05).

4. The Division finds that the affected area is, subject to valid rights existing as of August 3,
1977, not within:

a) An area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations (2.07.6(2)(d)(i));