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You also expressed a concern that the property owned by NCIG would be sold to another party that may have an interest in coal mining. In order for another party to assume the NCIG permit, the party would have to undergo a "succession of operator" process in accordance with Rule 2.08.6. This process involves transfer of the original bond or posting of a separate bond to ensure continued reclamation of the site, an application which includes the information required by Rules 2.03.4, 2.03.5 and 2.03.6, as well as a public notice requirement and a 15-day public comment period. Following a succession of operator, if the new operator wished to re-initiate mining at the site, the permit revision process would need to be followed as mentioned above, and another public notice and public comment period would follow the application. Also, the' Garfield County Special Use Permit for the Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine expired in November of 1994 and was not renewed. Therefore, in order for the Division to approve an application for a permit revision which would allow active mining at the site, for either NCIG Financial or a new operator, the operator would need to have successfully gone through the County permitting process. To recapitulate our conversation of this morning and the contents of this letter: 1) The current permit for the Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine states that the mine is in permanent cessation and the only activities permitted at this time are those activities necessary to carry out reclamation of the mine site and those activities associated with the postmining land use. Permit renewal is necessary to allow the operator to continue conducting the required reclamation activities. 2) In order for the status of the operation to be changed, a permit revision would have to be approved by the Division. No such request has been made by the operator to date. 3) In order for a third party to conduct mining at the site, both a succession of operator process and a permit revision would have to be approved by the Division. The Division has received no request for a succession of operator to date. I hope this letter has addressed your concerns regarding the permit renewal application for the Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine. Please let me know whether or not you still require an informal conference regarding the permit renewal. If so, your request should include the specific items of concern that you wish to have discussed at the conference. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at (303) 866-3567 or write me at the above address.