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West Elk Mine <br />Light -use and low-volume roads are also used in association with mine ventilation boreholes <br />(MVB) access for drilling and operations. These roads are typically 14 feet in running width with <br />an average 25 feet construction width. The MVB pads and roads are generally reclaimed in the next <br />construction season following the active life of the ventilation boreholes. Some light -use roads, <br />such as those needed to access field data (e.g. soil sampling or geotechnical borehole) acquisition <br />sites, will be field -designed and fit, utilizing earthwork contractors who are experienced in this <br />locale in building light -use roads to minimize erosion and sedimentation. Following construction of <br />such roads, as -built designs will be submitted to the CDRMS as a minor revision to certify that the <br />light -use road was constructed per the light -use road standards of Rule 4.03.3. Field -designed roads <br />as -built minor revisions will be included in Exhibit 80. <br />Existing roads constructed prior to the mine, which provide access to monitoring stations, and other <br />existing site roads, not otherwise designated, will be utilized and maintained as light -use roads. <br />Some existing public roads (e.g. USFS roads, etc.) are utilized for access to monitoring sites, etc. A <br />Road Use Permit, with annual updates as necessary, was issued by the USFS, which authorizes <br />these uses and any maintenance required. These existing roads will not be reconstructed if they do <br />not meet light -use road design standards, unless a maintenance problem is identified, requiring a <br />design revision. The pre-existing roads located outside the mine site will not be removed or <br />restored to approximate original contour, as these roads were a part of the pre -mine site original <br />contour. <br />Department of Highway Approvals <br />State Highway 133, completed with modifications in 1985, provides primary access to West Elk <br />Mine. Map 53 shows where the mine's main haul/access road joins the highway east of the lower <br />refuse pile. The old haul road now functions as an access road to the stack tubes and other mine <br />facilities, but was designed and may occasionally be utilized for hauling coal or coal refuse. <br />During the initial permitting of West Elk Mine, State Highway 133 was located on the north side of <br />the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The unit train loadout facility is sited within 100 feet of <br />State Highway 133. In 1981 and early 1982, MCC went through the public process of obtaining <br />approval from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for siting of the unit train <br />loadout. Subsequently, CDOT approved the siting of the loadout facilities and the CDMG granted <br />the appropriate variance in accordance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(iv). <br />In 1985, the CDOT relocated State Highway 133 to the south side of the North Fork of the <br />Gunnison River adjacent to the surface facilities of the West Elk Mine. The mine's surface facilities <br />had been constructed beginning in 1981 and were existing at the time of CDOT's relocation of State <br />Highway 133. With the highway relocation, surface facilities were existing, and CDOT relocated <br />the highway to within 100 feet of the facilities, however, the mine was not required to seek a <br />variance for the facilities which are now within 100 feet of the highway. <br />Portions of the Lower Refuse Pile (LRP) are sited within 100 feet of the relocated State Highway <br />133. MCC applied to the CDOT for approval to conduct operations within 100 feet of State <br />Highway 133. CDOT granted approval for operations within 100 feet of State Highway 133 on <br />April 8, 1986. <br />205-25 Rev 06105, 01106, 03106, 04106 & 05/06- PRIG; 01/09- MR350, 04/09- TR116; 04/09- MR353; 05/09- MR354; 08/09- TR118; <br />08/09- TR119, 09/12- MR387, 11/12- MR390; 07/18-PR15 <br />