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Proposed Decision <br /> The Division proposes to approve with conditions, BRL's application for renewal of the Bowie <br /> No. 1 Mine permit. This decision is based on a finding that the operations will comply with all <br /> requirements of the Colorado State Program as found in the Colorado Surface Coal Mining <br /> Reclamation Act, C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq., and the Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act. <br /> If no request for a formal hearing is made within 30 days of the first publication of the issuance <br /> of this proposed decision, then this decision becomes final. Upon verification of acceptable <br /> surety by the applicant, the permit will be issued. The permit application, all supporting <br /> documentation and any stipulations or conditions will become a binding part of the permit. <br /> Review Process <br /> BRL submitted an application for renewal of a valid, existing permit on August 25, 2022. The <br /> application was deemed complete on September 6, 2022, and notification of the complete <br /> application was sent to required entities (per Rule 2.07.3(3)(b)). A public notice of the <br /> application was published in the Delta County Independent once a week for four consecutive <br /> weeks beginning September 14, 2022. <br /> One comment regarding this permit renewal was received by the Division as a result of the <br /> public notice: Ms. Rhonda Doyle wrote in support of the renewal. The Division also received a <br /> comment on the application from History Colorado (the State Historic Preservation Officer) as a <br /> result of the notifications provided under Rule 2.07.3(3)(b). History Colorado did not raise any <br /> concerns about the renewal application. <br /> The Division identified adequacy concerns with the renewal application, sent in three letters to <br /> BRL on: February 7, 2023, March 29, 2023 and May 1, 2023. BRL responded to all of the <br /> adequacy letters,the final response letter was received on June 14, 2023. BRL's responses to the <br /> adequacy questions were in the form of revised text pages and maps, and they addressed all <br /> concerns. <br /> As a result of the Division's review of the Bowie No. 1 Mine permit during this renewal process, <br /> the need for adjustments of acreage values was identified. The value for Federal Mineral Acreage <br /> was increased by 1,157 acres (from 3,585.69 to 4,742.69 acres), and the value for Private Mineral <br /> Acreage was decreased by 1,157 acres (from 1,437.2 to 280.2 acres). These numbers are based on <br /> Map 9-5 of the PAP and discussions with a BRL representative. <br /> The Division queried the Applicant Violator System(AVS) on July 11, 2023. The system reported <br /> that BRL had no outstanding violations. <br /> The site-wide reclamation cost estimate for bond liability has been revised as a result of this <br /> renewal application and incorporates two bond release actions(SL-07 and SL-08)described below. <br /> The current liability for the Bowie No. 1 Mine is $2,668,118.49. The Division holds corporate <br /> sureties totaling $2,768,916.16. <br /> 2 <br />