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<br />Williams Fork Mines Prepared by: R. Reilley M.S. GISP <br />C1981044 5 November 2018 <br /> <br /> <br /> 4 <br /> <br />Since RN5 was approved, the operator changed their name twice, the first time through MR48 in December of <br />2009 and again with MR49 in February 2011. The mine site entered temporary cessation status initially when <br />mining ceased in 1995. The mine was subsequently returned to active status as a result of limited reclamation <br />activities at the site that occurred during the period of 2008 to 2010. On June 26, 2013, MCM submitted a <br />request to the Division to return to temporary cessation status. According to MCM, at the time they did not <br />anticipate completing any significant additional site reclamation activities in the foreseeable future. Also, they <br />indicated that given the market conditions for coal they did not anticipate reopening the mine in the foreseeable <br />future. The Division subsequently approved the request and on July 9, 2013, the operations returned to <br />temporary cessation status. At this time, MCM is performing reclamation of the site and therefore is currently <br />in active status, as of a letter from Peabody Inc, dated 9 November 2016. <br /> <br />Description of the Environment <br /> <br />Location of Permit Area. The Williams Fork Mines are located in Moffat County, Colorado on lands within: <br /> <br />Township 5 North, Range 91 West: <br /> Portions of W½ Section 4; <br /> N½ Section 8, <br /> N½ Section 6, <br /> Portions of S½ Section 6; <br /> Section 5, ALL. <br /> <br />Township 5 North, Range 92 West: <br /> E½ NE¼ Section 1. <br /> <br />Township 6 North, Range 91 West: <br /> Portions of S½ Section 17; <br /> W½ SW¼ Section 21, <br /> W½ W½ Section 28, <br /> W½ Section 33, <br /> E½ Section 19, <br /> E½ Section 30; <br /> Sections 20, 29, 31, 32, ALL. <br /> <br />Township 6 North, Range 92 West: <br /> Portions of S½ Section 25; <br /> S½ SE¼ Section 26, <br /> Portions of E ½ Section 35; <br /> Portions of Section 36 <br /> <br /> <br />Regional Climate. The climate of the region is classified as highland continental: characterized by low <br />precipitation, large fluctuations in diurnal temperatures, low humidity, moderate wind, and high levels of <br />insolation (exposure to sunlight). The Craig area is in the rain/snow shadow of mountain ranges to the west <br />and south and consequently has a high number of dry, clear days. <br /> <br />Local Climate. The climate of the Craig, Colorado area is characteristic of semi-arid steppe regions. The <br />average annual precipitation for the town of Craig, 6 miles northeast of the Williams Fork Mines, is 13.5 inches