REV13615

• Permit No: C1981038
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 1/7/1997
• Doc Name: BOWIE MINE NO 1 APPLICABILITY OF PREVIOUS STABILITY ANALYSIS TO THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION PLAN MODIFI
• From: DMG
• To: ERICA CROSBY
• Type & Sequence: TR28
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Departmem of Nawral Resources
I J 13 Sherman SI., Roam 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
DATE
TO:
FROM
RE:
January 7, 1997
• iii iiiiiiiiiiiii iii
999
STATE OF COLORADO
~~~~~
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL.
RESOURCES
Rav Romer
Erica Crosby ~ ~~` Governor
lames 5. Lochhead
~~ // E>eculive Director
/~ l<~ ~~ Michael B. Long
Jim Pendleton K ` Di~i=inn Direcor
Bowie Mine 1 - pplicability of Previous Stability
Analysis to the Proposed Reclamation Plan Modifications
Contained Within Technical Revision No. TR-28
(Permit No: C-81-038)
In response to your request I have reviewed the Applicant's supplemental
response to your adequacy letter regarding the TR-28 application. In
considering this response I also revisited the original permit application,
specifically the Geo-Hydro Consultants stability analysis contained in volume 6.
As an aside, the Geo-Hydro stability analysis for the Bowie No. 1 Mine was, and
still is, one of the most comprehensive stability analyses submitted during the
early years of our program, in my opinion. As in the case of many mines pre-
dating our Permanent Program, the facilities required modifications to be
brought into compliance with the requirements of our Permanent Program
Regulations. In accordance with our regulations and SMCRA, the Bowie No. 1
Mine was granted several reclamation variances, because of its Steep Slope
configuration, as observed by Mr. Stover.
The surface facilities at the Bowie No. 1 Mine (formerly the Orchard Valley -
East Portal Facilities), have successfully withstood the past 15 year test of
time. This test period included the notorious 1983/1984 episode and the less
dramatic 1993/1994 episode of wide spread slope instability throughout the
North Fork Valley of the Gunnison River. With a few minor inconveniences, such
as Pond #4, the facilities, as modified in accordance with Geo-Hydro's
recommendations, have survived without slope failure.