2003-04-14_REVISION - M1996076 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources 7 313 Sherman SC, Room 27 5 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3567 FAX: (303)832-8706 April 14, 2003 ~~ D IVISION.OF MINERALS GEOLOGY RECLAMATION MININ G•SAFETY Bilf Ovrens ,/ - Governor Walt Eldridge / Greg E. Walther Map Surveys, InC. II// Executive Director P.O. BOx 290 Ronald W. Cattany Acting Division Director Mesa, Colorado 81843 Re: Western S/ope F/agstone-Quarry No.2, Permit No. M-1996-076, CN-07 Mining P/an `'/ C/arification Request. Dear Mr. Eldridge: The Division of Minerals and Geology has reviewed Western Slope Flagstone's responses to the Preliminary Adequacy Review (PAR). It appears that the responses have clarified or corrected the issues noted in the PAR. Staff is requesting a clarification concerning the Mining Plan and the commitment of 5 total area of disturbance at any one time. The Division considers an area to be disturbed if activities within the area alter it from its original state. An area is not considered reclaimed until the operator requests and is granted a release for that particular area. Therefore, if Western Slope Flagstone mines Phase 1(3.2 acres) in the Middle Area and moves into Phase 2 (2.0 acres) there is a total of 5.2 acres disturbed which is already over 5 acre. Phase 1 would then have to be released before a~ disturbance could begin in Phase 3. Concurrently, if Western Slope Flagstone began air disturbance in the North Area that acreage would be above and beyond the 5.2 acres already disturbed in the Middle Mining Area. Phase 1 in each area also equals 5.2 acres, again over the 5 acre commitment. If Phase 1 in the North Area is to remain as a storage and processing area then the 2.0 acres would count against the 5 acre commitment and any other disturbance could only equal 3 acres, which Phase 1 of the Middle area already exceeds. Staff feels that the commitment to 5 acres is not a realistic maximum disturbance figure. Western Slope Flagstone needs to clarify exactly how the 5 acre maximum disturbance can be accomplished. A commitment to a 1 1 acres maximum disturbance would allow for the Phase 1 Storage yard in the North Area to remain disturbed (2 acres) and allow for Mining in any 1 phase of that area( 2.9 max), plus the mining and reclamation of any 2 phases in the Middle Area (5.4 max). (2 + 2.9 + 5.4 = 10.3) This issue must be addressed before staff can begin the final process of calculating the costs for reclamation. A decision on the application cannot be rendered until the bond is calculated and all issues addressed.