|
<br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
<br />Department o(Natural Resources
<br />1317 Sherman St., Room 215
<br />Denver, Colorado 80203
<br />Phone. (3071 866-3567
<br />FAX: 1303) 83b8106
<br />April 24, 2001
<br />West Regional Wildlife Manager
<br />Colorado Division of Wildlife
<br />West Regional Service Center
<br />711 Independent Ave.
<br />GrandJunction,CO 8]505
<br />Re: Colowyo Coal Mine (Permit No. C-1981-019)
<br />Technical Revision Application No. 53 (TR-53)
<br />Extend Mining into Section 17, T3N, R93W
<br />Dear West Regional Wildlife Manager:
<br />DIVISION OF
<br />MINERALS
<br />GEOLOGY
<br />RECLAMATION
<br />MINING•SAFETY
<br />Bill Owens
<br />Governor
<br />Greg E. Watcher
<br />Execwive Director
<br />Michael B. LOng
<br />Division Director
<br />The Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) hereby issues notice, in accordance with Title 34, Article 33,
<br />Section 116, Paragraph 4, of the Colorado Revised Statutes, that on April 24, 2001, an application to revise coal
<br />mining operations at the Colowyo Coal Mine was considered complete for the purposes of filing. The revision was
<br />submitted by Colowyo Coal Company L.P. All review and comment periods as provided in the Act and the
<br />Regulations initiate from this date of filing.
<br />This proposed technical revision [o the Permit C-81-019 Application Package revises the mine plan [o extend the
<br />Section l6 Pit into the SE 1/4 Section 17, T3N, R93W to mine a portion of the Danford 2 Lease tIC-29225, with
<br />associated changes to Exhibit 13 Bonding Information, Map 12 Hydrology, Map 19 Pos[ Mining Topo, Map 23
<br />Mine Plan, Map 29 Spoil Grading, Map 28 Topsoil Handling, Map 36 Bond Calculation Map -Regraded
<br />Topography, and additions to Exhibit 1.
<br />The surface coal mining operation is on land located approximately 28 miles south of Craig. The permit area is
<br />further described as follows: all or portions of Sections 2. 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, I I, 14. 15. 16, 17, 20, 21 and T3N, R93W;
<br />and Sections 13, I5, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33 and 34, T4N, R93W; 6th Prime Meridian. These tracts of land are
<br />shown on USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle maps of Axial and Ninemile Gap.
<br />This technical revision application proposes mining within the permit boundary, but in an area that has not been
<br />previously approved for disturbance. The proposal would alter previously approved permit conditions or mitigation
<br />measures. Sections of the proposed revision application are described above. Enclosed is an extract of the revised
<br />Mineplan Map 23 submitted with the application. The proposed expansion of the Section 16 pit encroaches into
<br />Section 17 by about 30 acres. Additional disturbance would result from perimeter drainage ditches as indicated on
<br />[he extract of the revised Hydrology Map 12 (also enclosed). Copies of the complete application are available for
<br />review as indicated below.
<br />We are requesting your agency's evaluation of the proposal. Your comments and concerns relating to the adequacy
<br />of fish and wildlife resources information, the fish and wildlife plan, and the reclamation plan as it relates to fish
<br />and wildlife considerations, including potential impacts to threatened or endangered species, are requested. If
<br />wildlife habitat is the proposed postmining land use, we request your evaluation of proposed woody plant stocking
<br />levels, planting arrangements, and methods for mitigation of potential adverse impacts. Please advise us if you
<br />~II II~~I~~I~~~~~ ~I~
<br />STATE OF CO~Uiv~vU
<br />
|