Laserfiche WebLink
West Elk Mine <br /> <br />2.05-116 Rev. 06/05- PR10, 03/06- PR10, 05/06- PR10, 11/060- TR107, 04/07- TR108, 09/07- PR12, 02/08- PR12; 11/10- MR372; 10/20- MR-452; <br /> 12/20- TR149; 12/21- TR150, 1/24-TR152 <br />Detailed Description of Damage or Diminution of Reasonable Use Which Could Result from <br />Subsidence Related Phenomena 2.05.6(6)(e)(ii)(A-C) <br />Based upon the anticipated subsidence phenomena previously described in this section, and the <br />general scarcity of structures and renewable resource lands, MCC and WWE conclude that there <br />will be little, if any, damage or destruction of reasonable use within the MCC permit area. <br />One structure that exists in the Dry Fork Basin and is known as Lower Cow Camp. This <br />structure is used by the cattle pool as seasonal living quarters for the range cowboy. The cabin is <br />owned by the USFS and leased to the Dry Fork Cattle Pool. This cabin and related corrals were <br />inventoried and are included in Exhibits 60D and 73. <br />Mining in the B Seam occurred in the vicinity of the building in late 1994. Regular monitoring <br />was conducted and no damage found. As MCC will compensate for, repair or replace this <br />building or any other structure or resource in compliance with CMLRB Rule 4.20.3(2), no <br />material subsidence damage will result, as defined by CMLRB Rule 2.05.6(6)(e)(ii)(A). <br />The "worst possible consequences" from mining to hydrologic resources, hydrology monitoring <br />stations, and the many trails and unimproved U.S. Forest Service roads could be complete loss of <br />surface water resources to the mine workings, total destruction of the stations and total destruction <br />or blockage of the trails on roads. MCC will repair or replace these items as discussed later in this <br />section. <br />Subsidence Monitoring Plan - 2.05.6 (6)(b)(ii), (6)(c)(i) and (6)(e)(iii) <br />A) Subsidence Monitoring <br /> <br />Until 1999, subsidence monitoring at West Elk Mine was accomplished using conventional <br />survey methods of a monument grid. The grid was laid out over the first three B seam longwall <br />panels mined (panels 1-3NW), and successfully verified MCC’s prediction about the amount of <br />subsidence. The grid is shown on Map 29. As subsidence of the three longwall panels was <br />completed and the surveys no longer showed movement, monitoring of the grid was discontinued <br />in 1999. The past monitoring of MCC’s subsidence grid established the amount of subsidence <br />that occurs over a longwall panel, when it occurs, where it occurs, and when it is complete; <br />therefore, there is no longer a need for additional grids. Instead, MCC visually inspects the <br />ground over the areas that have been undermined to document any disturbance that may have <br />occurred. MCC also visits new mining areas prior to any subsidence occurrence to document <br />pre-existing conditions, and also visits locations where cracks have previously been documented <br />to verify that the cracks are healing. MCC utilizes traditional survey methods, as necessary, to <br />evaluate any structures of concern. Also, MCC continues to conduct subsidence monitoring <br />observations of the following: roads, inverts of culverts, flumes, stock ponds, and buildings, <br />Monument Dam, and Minnesota Reservoir. <br />Specific subsidence monitoring measures and plans included the verification of the subsidence <br />angle-of-draw in the SOD and Dry Fork mining areas. The monuments established as part of the <br />baseline survey were resurveyed at least three months after the longwall face had moved past the <br />end of the longitudinal survey line to determine the amount of subsidence that has occurred and <br />the angle of draw of subsidence. A report detailing the angle of draw observed during the