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Division of Minerals & Geology <br />Fax: (303)866-8106 <br />Hard Copy with attachments to follow by US Mail <br />Re: Bowie No. 2 Mine (Permit No. C-96-083) <br />Bowie No. 1 Mine (Permit No. C-81-038) <br />Technical Revision Application Nos. 6, 7, &30 <br />This letter constitutes the comments of the Western Slope Environmental Resource Council <br />(WSERC) regazding Technical Revision Applications for Bowie Resources, Ltd., coal mines and <br />facilities listed above. <br />WSERC is a grassroots environmental non-profit organization based in Paonia, Colo., and <br />dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environment and quality of life in Delta County and <br />Colorado's Western Slope. WSERC organized in 1977 and now has approximately 200 members. <br />Impacts of coal development aze of great concern to our membership and we have been involved in coal <br />issues since our inception. Our members live adjacent to the mine azeas and in the larger affected <br />community. We are impacted by the affects of these decisions in virtually every aspect of our lives: from <br />the bumps in the local economy, to the heated political atmosphere, to degradation of environmental <br />conditions, to effects on our water rights, homes and private property, to impacts on public lands and <br />waters. <br />One of our primary concerns is the confiision caused by the segmentation of Bowie Resources <br />(Bowie) longwall expansion program into three or more separate minor technical revisions. In effect, TR <br />#7 for the conversion to the longwall, TR # 6 for new coal handling facilities, and TR # 30 for increasing <br />Vain loadout capacity, when considered together, constitute a major revision to Bowie's existing mine <br />plans. For example, these changes would fundamentally change Bowie's mining methods and process, <br />quadruple mine output, significantly increase disturbed azeas within the permit boundary, significantly <br />alter the existing reclamation plan, and cause a series of unknown impacts off-site including changes in <br />Vaffic, air quality, water quality, employment, train schedules, etc. However the state Division of <br />Minerals and Geology provided little information about these potential impacts, individually or <br />cumulatively, upon which we the public can base our comments in this permit process. <br />We believe that rather than process Bowie's application as separate, unconnected technical <br />revisions, the Division of Mineral and Geology should require an amendment to Bowie's mine plan that <br />encompasses all of the proposed actions. This also matches statutory requirements to conduct mine plan <br />Box 1612, Paonia CO 81428 Phone & Fax (970) 527-5307 wserc@rmi.net <br />Joe Dudash RECEI(~~~ <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />1313 Sherman St. Room 215 JAN 2 g ~ggy <br />Denver, Co. 80203 <br />