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<br />STATE OF COLO,<.~ ~~~
<br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
<br />Depslmenl of Natural ReSOUrCeS
<br />I } I }Sherman 51., Room 215 ~+y~~
<br />Denver, Gdor, cla 80203 II
<br />Phunc: I NI}I 8hh-3567
<br />FAx: Lfo31 8} ~.y I Oh
<br />DEPARTMEf~fi OF
<br />NATURAL
<br />December 1, 1997 RESOI 1RCES
<br />
<br />Bill Clark, Biologist Roy Romer
<br />envernar
<br />Colorado Division of Wildlife lames 5. Lochhead
<br />West Regional Office
<br />Ececmive Director
<br />71 I Independent Avenue ALChael B. tool;
<br /> Division Dueaor
<br />Grand Junction, CO 81505
<br />Re: West Elk Mine (Permit No. C-80-007)
<br />Technical Revision Application No. 83
<br />Mine Dewatering and Treatment Facilities
<br />Dear Mr. Clark, Biologist:
<br />The Division of Minerals and Geology hereby issues notice, in accordance with Title 34, Article 33, Section l l6,
<br />Paragraph 4, of the Colorado Revised Statutes, that on December 1, 1997, an application to revise coal mining
<br />operations at the West Elk Mine was considered complete for the purposes of filing. The revision was submitted by
<br />Mountain Coal Company. All review and comment periods as provided in the Act and the Regulations initiate from
<br />this date of filing.
<br />Mountain Coal Company proposes to construct mine dewatering and treatment facilities in the Syvelster Gulch
<br />Facilities Area. The proposed facilities include a Dewatering Pump Station and Treatment Building,
<br />Presedimentation Basin, Decant Retum Basin and Pump Station, Sludge Drying Lagoons, and Finishing Pond.
<br />The underground coal mining operation is on land located approximately 9 miles east of Paonia, Colorado. The
<br />permit area is further described as follows:
<br />Ponions or all of Sections 9, 10, I5, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35, and 36, Township
<br />13 South, Range 90 West of the 6[h P.M.; and portions or all of Sections 23, 24, 25, and 26, Township 13 South,
<br />Range 9I West of the 6th P.M.
<br />The above-mentioned tracts of land are shown on USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle maps of Somerset and Bowie.
<br />Because the above referenced technical revision application would incorporate additional lands into the permit area
<br />or might otherwise alter previously approved permit conditions or mitigation measures, we are requesting your
<br />agency's evaluation of the proposal. Your comments and concerns relating to the adequacy of fish and wildlife
<br />resources information, the fish and wildlife plan, and the reclamation plan as it relates to fish and wildlife
<br />considerations, including potential impacts to threatened or endangered species, are requested. If wildlife habitat is
<br />the proposed postmining land use, we request your evaluation of proposed woody plant stocking levels, planting
<br />arrangements, and methods for mitigation of potential adverse impacts.
<br />Applicable sections of the revision application are enclosed. Please advise us if you require additional information.
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