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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />4.12 Slides and Other Damage <br />Because of the mining technique used at the Colowyo operation and the inherent nature of the coal <br />geology, no natural barriers will be necessary. <br />At any time a slide occurs within the permit area which may have a potential adverse affect on <br />public property, health, safety, or the environment, Colowyo will notify the Division or other <br />appropriate governmental agencies and comply with any remedial measures necessary. <br />Higher than normal precipitation occurred in northwest Colorado in 1984 and 1985 causing <br />numerous landslides and slope failures throughout the region. One such slide occurred on a section <br />of the paved haul road and remedial actions were necessary to stabilize the area. This area has <br />remained stable since implementation of the remedial measures. <br />At approximately 6:29 pm on June 30, 2012 Colowyo's Meteorological Station recorded wind <br />gusts up to 81.65 miles per hour. Within several minutes, Colowyo employees identified smoke <br />coming from the area immediately North of the mine access road West of the Lower Administration <br />building. <br />After securing the scene for the safety of employees and the local responder crews including BLM, <br />Moffat County and Rio Blanco County resources, Colowyo supervisors immediately sent heavy <br />equipment to the Eastern and Western extents of the area actively burning and constructed fire <br />lines approximately 20 feet wide along a defendable perimeter. <br />The source of the fire was determined to be power lines contacting the ground due to a power pole <br />being snapped in half on the 25KV White River Electric Association line that runs parallel with <br />the mine access road on the North side of the road. This line provides power to the Gossard <br />Loadout Area and associated facilities in the Axial Basin. <br />In 2012, approximately 5 acres within Colowyo's permit boundary was affected by the moderate <br />intensity fire as shown on Figure 4.12-1. The area is comprised of a mix of wheatgrass and low <br />density sagebrush. Additional surface disturbances within the permit boundary were created as a <br />result of the necessity to facilitate replacement of the broken power pole, re -hanging of the lines, <br />and access corridors on the Western and Eastern side of the fire for construction of the fire lines. <br />Approximately 26 additional acres burned outside of Colowyo's permit boundary on Colowyo <br />private property, primarily in low density sagebrush rangeland. A few acres of inactive wheat <br />fields were also burned comprised mostly of volunteer winter wheat. <br />The relatively low intensity nature of the fire does not appear to warrant or require supplemental <br />seeding within the permit boundary, however the areas impacted by the fire line and power pole <br />repair access will be smoothed over as soon as possible and broadcast seeded with the approved <br />sagebrush steppe reclamation seed mix as fall approaches. <br />In 2013, approximately 0.96 acres within Colowyo's permit boundary (outside the disturbance <br />boundary) were affected by a small intensity wildland fire shown on Figure 4.12-2. The area that <br />was affected was comprised of a mix of Gambel's Oakbrush, Mountain Mahogany, and low density <br />sagebrush. A small area of 2011 reclamation was disturbed by Colowyo personnel to create an <br />access to the fire and to also create a fire line to control the fire from spreading. Colowyo promptly <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-38 Revision Date: 5/25/18 <br />Revision No.: RN -07 <br />