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© MWH <br />MONTGOMERYWATSON HARZA <br />RECEIVED <br />August 4, 2003 <br />AUG p 5 2003 <br />Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment <br />Water Quality Division ~Ivision of Minerals 8 ~e0I09Y <br />4300 Cherry Creek Drive South <br />Denver, Colorado 80222 <br />(303)692-2000 <br />Re: Change in Operating Status and Elimination of Outfalls -CDPS Permit Nos. CO-0036595 <br />and COG-850000 for EFCI Southfield Mine and Loadout Facilities <br />Energy Fuels Coal, Inc. (EFCI) has operated the Southfield underground coal mine and associated <br />loadout facility, located south of the town of Florence, Colorado, since Mazch 1985. EFCI <br />discontinued their use of the loadout facility in 1996 and subsequently reclaimed the Southfield <br />Loadout azea in 1997. EFCI applied to the Colorado Division of Minerals & Geology (CDMG) <br />for, and obtained, Phase I bond release for the Southfield Loadout area in 1998. Active mining <br />operations continued through December 2000, when mining ceased and the mine was closed. <br />EFCI initiated reclamation of the mine area in August 200] and completed reclamation one year <br />later in August 2002. EFCI has subsequently submitted an application to the CDMG (October 10, <br />2002) for Phase I bond release for the reclaimed Southfield Mine azea. The required field <br />inspection of the reclaimed mine areas was completed in 2002, and the CDMG subsequently <br />approved Phase I bond release for the South Field Mine area. <br />With cessation of mining, completion. of site reclamation activities, and approval of Phase I bond <br />release for both the Southfield Mine and Loadout azeas, EFCI respectfully requests that the <br />CDPHE -WQD change the status of the two referenced CDPS permits (i.e.: CO-0036595, <br />Southfield Mine; and COG-850000, Southfield Loadout) to "Postmining" status under applicable <br />provisions of Part I.A.4 of the CDPHE-WQD regulations. It is our understanding that this <br />change will result in changes in the required frequency of monitoring for the remaining designated <br />outfalls. It is also our understanding that the change to postmining starus will result in a reduction <br />in the required water quality monitoring parameters. For your reference, the following summarizes <br />the current and proposed (noted in bold italics) status of the permitted mine and loadout outfalls: <br />Southfield Mine Area <br />Outfall 001 -Dischazge to Magpie Creek from Sedimentation Pond 1, which intercepted <br />drainage from a portion of the mine yard and from the coal stockpile azea. The coal <br />stockpile has been eliminated, the associated stockpile area and mine yazd have been <br />graded to drain to Sedimentation Pond 5 (Outfall 004), and these azeas have been <br />reclaimed. Sedimentation Pond 1 has been eliminated and reclaimed. Eliminate Outfall <br />001. <br />Outfall 002 -Discharge to tributary to Newlin Creek from Sedimentation Pond 4, which <br />intercepts drainage from the coal refuse pile area. Coal refuse pile has been reclaimed. <br />Sedimentation Pond 4 will remain in-place through the reclamation liability period to <br />control runoff from the reclaimed area. Change Outfall 002 to Posunining status and <br />adjust monitoring requirements. <br />Outfall 004 -Dischazge to Magpie Creek from Sedimentation Pond 5, which intercepts <br />drainage $om the reclaimed mine yard and coal stockpile areas. There was some potential <br />P,p. Box 774018 Tel: 970 879 6260 Delivering Innovative Vrojects and Solutions Worldwide <br />7475 Pine Grove Road, Suite 109 Fax: 970 879 9048 <br />Steamboat Springs, Colorado <br />80477 <br />