Laserfiche WebLink
Proposed Decision <br /> The Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety Proposes to APPROVE the Application <br /> for Permit Revision No 12 (PR12). <br /> The application was submitted by Trapper Mining, Inc. ("TMI"). This decision is based on a finding <br /> that the operations comply with all requirements of the Colorado State Program as found in the <br /> Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq., and the Regulations <br /> promulgated pursuant to the Act. If no request for a formal hearing is made within thirty (30)days of <br /> the first publication of the issuance of this proposed decision,then this decision becomes final. The <br /> permit revision will be finalized upon submittal to DRMS of acceptable surety by the applicant if <br /> necessary. The permit application, all supporting documentation and any stipulations or conditions <br /> become a binding part of the permit. <br /> No coal mining operations may be conducted on any Federal surface or coal until the Assistant <br /> Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management ("ASLM")with the U.S. Department of the Interior <br /> has approved any required federal mining plan or modification thereof. <br /> This proposed decision proposes to update the mining and reclamation plans with the addition of one <br /> cut in the L-Dip pit. With this change the final PMT as proposed on Map M-12, Post Mining <br /> Topography, has been altered to reflect the final regrade of this area. No new acres of disturbance <br /> are proposed and the worst case bond scenario does not change with this revision. <br /> In previous findings document,the Division made no distinction between disturbance acreage and <br /> affected acreage. However,upon review of these definitions (Rule 1.04(7) and(36))the Division in <br /> PR11 found this distinction appropriate since surface disturbance is not associated with the <br /> underground activities associated with highwall/auger mining. The affected acreage at the Trapper <br /> Mine now includes the areas above the highwall/auger mine workings. Much of the affected area <br /> underlies the disturbance area at the Trapper Mine. The proposed decision form for PR12 reflects <br /> this distinction as the affected area will not equal the disturbance area. <br /> Status of Stipulations <br /> The stipulation history for the Trapper Mine was reviewed with this permit revision application. The <br /> review included an investigation of any stipulations imposed, and any responses to existing <br /> stipulations received, since the last permit renewal. Any stipulations associated with this permit and <br /> issued over the life of this operation which are not discussed in this findings document have been <br /> complied with or have been terminated. <br /> Summary <br /> Utah International Inc. began exploration drilling operations for Trapper Mine in 1954 to obtain <br /> geologic information on the structure of coalbeds and estimates of mineable coal reserves. In 1973, <br /> Utah International Inc. and four electric utilities signed a contract for delivery of coal to fuel the <br /> Craig Generating Station. This coal delivery obligation of approximately I I I million tons over a 52 <br /> year period required strip mining six to seven thousand acres of land since the mining activities <br /> began in 1976. <br /> 2 <br />