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~: t. ~ • <br />~.7' <br />Background <br />The Grassy Gap Coal mine is a revoked, surface coal mining site located 7 miles south of <br />Hayden, Colorado in Routt County on County Road #27 (Twentymile Road). When it was <br />operational, it mined privately-owned coal on privately-owned surface. Mine production <br />ceased sometime in 1985 and through enforcement actions and a subsequent settlement <br />agreement, the site was reclaimed. Final reclamation work was completed in 1992. Six <br />reclaimed pit areas exist, totaling approximately 337 acres of reclamation. <br />Risks to Public Health. Safety. and the Environment <br />Two earthen structures, Pond 4 and Pond 5 remain at this site. Neither pose any risk to the <br />public or the environment due to the remote location of these structures, their small size, <br />and the lack of human habitation in the area. The site as it exists today poses no known <br />threats to the public or the environment. <br />Sediment and Erosion Control Function <br />Pond 4 and Pond S continue to provide sediment control functions for the areas reclaimed <br />in 1992. Contour furrows and revegetation continue to be successful in controlling erosion, <br />especially in the early years following topsoiling and re-seeding activities. Older areas of <br />reclamation were demonstrated by the operator to no longer need sediment control <br />structures to meet sediment levels representative of the baseline condition. No significant <br />riling or gullying has taken place to any degree which would affect the post-mining land-use <br />of rangeland or which would negatively affect the environment. <br />Reclamation Completed and General Reclaimed Area Stability <br />As part of the Settlement agreement dated June 20, 1991, this site was entirely reclaimed <br />prior to final bond release and forfeiture of $25,000.00 to the State of Colorado for site <br />maintenance activities. The reclaimed areas appear stable and show no signs of instability <br />or mass movement. The surrounding areas, in their native state, are prone to slides, slumps, <br />rock sloughage and debris flows. These mass movement phenomenon have not affected the <br />reclaimed areas nor have they been caused by mining activities. <br />s <br />Estimate of Continuing Safety. Health. or Environmental Problems <br />Slides will continue to be a problem in the vicinity of the mine, but are unlikely on the <br />reclaimed areas. Also, the reclaimed areas are located topographically higher than most of <br />