2021-03-02_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981044

Home Browse Search

This document presents the results of the Midterm Permit Review of the Moffat County Mining, LLC's ("MCM") Williams Fork Mines. The Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety("DRMS"or "Division")conducted this review for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. This Midterm Review was conducted to fulfill the requirements of Sections 2.08.3,2.06.2(10), 2.06.3(4)(a),2.06.5(3),2.06.7(5)and 3.02.2(4). Sections 2.06.2(10),2.06.3(4)(a),2.06.5(3) and 2.06.7(5)require that experimental practices,mountaintop removal variances,variances from approximate original contour(AOC)for steep slope mining and variances from contemporaneous reclamation for combined surface and underground mining, respectively,be reviewed by the Division where applicable during the Midterm Review. No such variances are approved for MCM at the Williams Fork Mines,therefore are not applicable to this review. Section 2.08.3 of the Regulations requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued,prior to its midterm. Based on this review,for good cause shown,the Division may require reasonable revisions or modifications of the permit provisions to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulation. Section 3.02.2(4)requires that the Division review the amount of the bond and the terms of acceptance of the bond every 2 '/2 years. In order to identify items that may have been overlooked during initial review,this Midterm Review consisted of a detailed review of the following documents to ensure that all permit commitments and conditions are in compliance: • The Williams Fork Mines permit application,including stipulations and responses • All revisions made to the permit since the last permit renewal(RN7) • The Williams Fork Mines annual reclamation and hydrology reports • Bond surety and reclamation cost estimate • The Division findings documents and previous Midterm Reviews • The Division's inspection reports • Any notices of violations since the last permit renewal(RN07). SECTION I—HISTORY The following table summarizes the history of Permit C 1981044,prior to the most recent renewal,RN7. Table 1: Summary of History of Permit C1981044 Date Permit Action 1936 Coal mining begins in vicinity of Eagle Mines. Early 1970's Present operations begin with underground mining at No.5 Mine. 1974 Open Mining Permit No. 41 issued for surface mining in Williams Fork Strip Pit. 3/1977 Eagle No.9 Mine granted Permit No. 76-7 U.G. under C.R.S. 1973,34-32- 101 et seq., as amended. 3/1980 Permit No. 79-170 issued for Eagle No. 5 and No. 9 Mines Williams Fork Mines C1981044 -2- 2 March 2021 Mid Term Review 8