REV02230

• Permit No: C1981032
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 8/1/1997
• Doc Name: FINAL PHASE II III BOND RELEASE INSPECTION MEEKER AREA MINES C-81-032
• From: DMG
• To: BLM
• Type & Sequence: SL2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
STATE OF COLU1~vU
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Dep. nmenl of Natural Resources
I }17 Sherman 51.. Room 215
Dcnver, Colorado 80'_03
Phone: 17071 8hh~ 3567
FAX: 130]1 8J2~8117h
August 1, 1997
John Husband
US Bureau of Land Management
Little Snake Resource Area
1280 Industrial Avenue
Craig, CO 81625
Re: Final Phase II/III Bond Release Inspection, Meeker Area Mines, C-81-032
Dear Mr. Husband:
II~
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Roy Romer
Governor
tames 5. Lochhead
Executive Director
Michael B. Long
Division Dneaor
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of a final Phase I[/III Bond Release inspection (Inspection) of
the Meeker Area Mines (Northern # 1 and Rienau #2) scheduled for 1:00 pm on Thursday, August 14,
1997. The Inspection will be conducted by the Division of Minerals and Geology (Division), and will
begin at the Northem # I Mine identification sign on State Highway 13 between Meeker and Craig
(approximately one mile south of the summit of Ninemile Gap pass). The Inspection applies to a request
for release of remaining coal mine reclamation bond moni~... .
The State of Colorado holds bonds for reclamation of disturbed areas at coal mines in Colorado. The
Meeker Area mines are permitted by the Division under Permit Number C-81-032 (Permit) to the Enron
Coal Company (Enron). The original reclamation bond was for $850,000. Rules of the Colorado Surface
Coal Mining Reclamation Act (Rules) permit progressive release of reclamation bonds. A percentage of
the bond may be released (a Phase I release) for backfilling and grading, and an additional percentage (a
Phase 1[ release) for establishment of vegetation, which supports the approved postmining land use.
Disturbed surface areas of the mines were backfilled, regraded and reseeded in 1986 and 1992. Phase I
and Phase II releases reduced the reclamation bond to $184,071. By letter of May 7, 1997, Enron
submitted a request for a final Phase I[/III bond release at the Meeker Area Mines. The request was
considered complete for filing after receipt of proof of publication of the request in The Meeker Herald.
The Inspection will be conducted to determine, in part, if release of the remaining $184,071 is
appropriate. Inherent with granting of the request is the termination of Permit C-81-032 and any
jurisdiction by the Division. As a manger of lands within the Permit area, an invitation is extended to you
tojoin the Division in this inspection. Please call me at 303-866-4941 if you have any questions
concerning the inspection, reclamation work, or bond release at the Meeker Area Mines.
Yours truly,
Byron G. Walker
Environmental Protection Specialist
Certified Mail: P 213 351 923
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