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ENFORCE32393
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Last modified
8/24/2016 7:43:25 PM
Creation date
11/21/2007 1:20:58 PM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
C1981019
IBM Index Class Name
Enforcement
Doc Date
12/27/1994
Doc Name
RESPONSE TO NOV-94-037 PN C-81-019 COLOWYO COAL CO LP
From
COLOWYO COAL CO LP
To
DMG
Violation No.
CV1994037
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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Colowyo's initial modeling assumptions reflecting upstream <br />mining and reclamation practices were, unfortunately, rejected by <br />the Division. In its place, the Division mandated that modeling <br />assumptions be based upon a "worst case scenario" for the West Pit <br />based entirely on topsoil stripping and ignoring upstream mining <br />and reclamation practices. Colowyo believes that not only is the <br />concept of modeling based upon a "worst case scenario" not <br />supported by the CDMG regulations, but such a modeling exercise has <br />little utility beyond the short window of initial topsoil stripping <br />associated with a specific area. Once mining activities, such as <br />in-pit road construction, overburden blasting and removal, <br />development of spoil dump areas, etc. occur, modeling assumptions <br />based solely upon initial topsoil stripping and high curve numbers <br />(in the 90+ range) provide no utility with respect to subsequent <br />activities of the mine. <br />While Colowyo's other pit related sedimentation ponds can be <br />viewed as structures designed to address the needs for controlling <br />runoff from reclaimed areas for up to 30 years, the West Pit Pond <br />design has limited intuitive utility as it was designed for a short <br />time period measured in months during which initial pit development <br />topsoil was removed. <br />Not only did Colowyo disagree with the Division's modeling <br />requirements, it became apparent that the Division's intent was to <br />also attach an enforcement mechanism to the pond modeling exercise. <br />While we do not believe the regulations intended that pond modeling <br />should be utilized as an enforcement tool, Colowyo reluctantly <br />accepted as a permit condition another Division mandate that, based <br />upon the mandated modeling assumptions, a maximum of 124 acres of <br />runoff and sediment would be allowed to flow to the West Pit Pond <br />during initial topsoil stripping. It was absolutely necessary <br />during the initial development of the West Pit to 1) provide for <br />in-pit access ramps into the pit from the east pit and coal <br />crusher, 2) prepare the west pit fill area for subdrain <br />construction and the dumping of 16.5 million cubic yards of excess <br />spoil and 3) strip topsoil from sufficient area for the shovel to <br />begin excavating the pit through mid-1995. In total the <br />development of the West Pit would require stripping topsoil from <br />313 acres in 1994. <br />At the time Colowyo agreed to this 124 acre permit requirement <br />we believed that as the pit developed activities such as in-pit <br />roads, shot rock, shovel ramps, and other non-regulated in-pit <br />runoff control structures would aid in compliance with the 124 acre <br />requirement. Similarly, subsequent pit developments such as dumps, <br />ramps, reclaimed fill slopes, etc. would ultimately render the 124 <br />acre initial topsoil removal requirement as a useless requirement. <br />Colowyo implemented these concepts during the development of <br />the West Pit to address the 124 acre restriction. First, the <br />decision was made that an in-pit ramp would be constructed to <br />provide for in-pit drainage structure #2 and would serve as a <br />
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