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r <br />On April 9, 1996, Notices of Violation (NOV) C-96-007 and C-96-008 (copies attached) <br />were issued for failure to conduct hydrologic monitoring in accordance with the approved <br />plan and failure to make records available for public review, respectively. NOV C-96-007 <br />required immediate resumption of hydrologic monitoring, and NOV C-96-008 required that <br />the operator abate the violation by making records available for public review by April 15, <br />1996. Prior to the last complete inspection of the mine, the Division contacted the operator <br />to ascertain the whereabouts of the public records for the site. Mr. Chris Reed of Twin <br />Pines Investment, L.P. indicated that public records were not available. A complete <br />inspection of the site was conducted on April 8, 1996. As the mine has been reclaimed, no <br />records were available on site for inspection. <br />The Division contacted Mr. Reed by telephone on April 16, 1996 as a followup to the above <br />mentioned enforcement actions. Mr. Reed verbally indicated that Twin Pines Investment, <br />L.P. would be unable to abate the NOV's due to financial constraints. As a result of this <br />conversation, Cessation Order C-96-009 was issued on April 16, 1996. <br />On April 17, 1996, the Division received a letter (enclosed) from Mr. Reed stating that Twin <br />Pines Investment, L.P. would be unable to comply with the terms of the Cessation Order <br />which involved abating NOV's C-96-007 and C-96-008. As a result, the Division issued an <br />"Order to Show Cause Why Permit Should Not be Revoked" on April 19, 1996. <br />On April 29, 1996, the Division received a letter from Mr. Reed requesting a review of the <br />Show Cause Order in front of the Board. Mr. Reed indicated, in his letter, that Twin Pines <br />does not intend to contest the order, but wished to be present at the hearing to explain to <br />the Board why Twin Pines is unable to conduct any further activities associated with the <br />ongoing requirements of the permit. <br />It is our recommendation that permit revocation and bond forfeiture occur, as these actions <br />are in the best interest of all parties. Reclamation at the mine site has been nearly <br />completed, and the remaining bond money is expected to be adequate to cover any <br />necessary maintenance and the removal of sediment ponds. It is our opinion that Twin <br />Pines has complied to the best of its abilities, and has used all available means to reclaim <br />the mine site and cooperate with the Division. We will be requesting that the Board <br />consider granting substantial relief from civil penalties in this case. Specific rule citations <br />and bases are provided below relative to each action to be considered. <br />Permit Revocation <br />Rule 5.03.3(5) of the Coal Regulations requires that "whenever a permittee fails to abate <br />a violation contained in a notice of violation or cessation order within the abatements <br />periods set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended, the Administrator shall <br />review the permittee's history of violations to determine whether a pattern of violations <br />exists... and shall issue an order to show cause ..:' <br />