2021-01-28_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1982057

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Proposed Decision The Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety proposes to APPROVE Seneca Property,LLC's application for permit renewal RN7. The application was submitted by Seneca Properties LLC. This decision is based on a finding that the operations comply with all requirements of the Colorado State Program as found in the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act,C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq.,and the Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act. If no request for a formal hearing is made within thirty(30)days of the first publication of the issuance of this proposed decision,then this decision becomes final. The permit will be renewed upon submittal to DRMS of acceptable surety by the applicant. The permit application,all supporting documentation and any stipulations or conditions become a binding part of the permit. No coal mining operations may be conducted on any Federal surface or coal until the Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management with the U.S. Department of the Interior has approved any required federal mining plan or modification thereof. Summary Seneca Property,LLC,a subsidiary of Peabody Investments Corporation, submitted a permit renewal application(RN7)in June 2020 for the Seneca IIW Mine. The initial mining and reclamation permit was issued 31 December 1985,for a 5 year permit term. The permit has been renewed for additional 5 year permit terms every five years since that date. The previous permit renewal proposed decision (RN6)was issued 10 May 2017, and the Division's basis for the renewal approval was set forth in the (RN6) Findings of Compliance document,dated 5 April 2017. The Seneca IIW Mine is located approximately 7 miles south of Hayden, Colorado in Routt County. The Seneca IIW Mine is a reclaimed surface coal operation,more specifically a dip slope area strip mine,which utilized dragline mining methods during active operations. Coal extraction operations began at Seneca IIW in 1990, and continued until January 2006,when coal production at Seneca IIW ceased. Annual production ranged from a low of 376,700 tons to a maximum 990,300 tons. Over the life of the mine, total coal production was 12,069,059 tons. The total permitted area is approximately 3,878.5 acres. The disturbed area includes the former mine pit area,surface support facilities,haul roads and drainage control facilities. To date,the total disturbed area is 1,335.9 acres,including former mine pit areas, surface support facilities,haul roads and drainage control facilities. Various exhibits and text refer to a number of minimal disturbance areas,totaling approximately 56 acres. These areas are primarily located along ephemeral drainages between disturbed areas and sedimentation ponds. Surface ownership is predominantly private,with right of entry based on a variety of private leases, subleases and easements. The permit area also includes limited areas of federal surface managed by BLM,and the State of Colorado. Coal mined at Seneca IIW was owned by private interest,the State of Colorado, and the Federal government,under lease to Seneca Coal Company, LLC Coal extraction began at Seneca IIW in 1990,and ceased in early January 2006, due to a combination of difficult mining conditions and economic factors. Reclamation operations have been completed. Seneca IIW is a dip-slope area strip mine operation,which primarily utilized dragline mining methods, with limited auger mining in some final pit locations. No further coal production is proposed. Reclamation of pit areas was completed in 2007. SPL has received approval for permanent retention of various facilities. Temporary sediment control structures Page 2 of 37