REV93206

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 11/14/1996
• Doc Name: PROPOSED DECISION AND FINDING OF COMPLIANCE FOR SANBORN CREEK MINE C-81-022
• Type & Sequence: PR3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

issues discussed during the review of PR-03. These issues were summarized in the
preliminary adequacy review letters of July 9, September 12, and October 7, 1996. Pacific
Basin Resources responded to the adequacy concerns, and the responses were deemed to
be adequate for the Division to approve the revision.
This document contains the "Proposed Decision to Approve the Permit Revision
Application", a description of the environment affected by the mining operation and the
reclamation plan, and the Division's written Endings of compliance as required by the
Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (Act). detailed information concerning the
review process is on file at the Division offices; legal requirements can be found in the Act
and Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal
Mining (Rules). All rules and regulations referenced in this document can be found in the
Rules. Detailed information about the proposed mining and reclamation operations can be
found in the permit application on file (File No. C-81-022) in the public record maintained
by the Division, located in Room 215, Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street, Denver,
Colorado 80203, telephone [phone]. copies of the application azea also available for
inspection at the Delta County Clerk and Recorder's Office in Delta, Colorado.
Description of the Environment
The present Sanborn Creek Mine consists of 61 acres of surface disturbed land and 1,725
acres of land which has been or will be undermined and may potentially be affected by
mining in the North Fork of the Gunnison River (North Fork) drainage basin (See Map
E8-3306, Sheets 1 and 2 for the location of the present mine, and Exhibits 5-007-B and
5-007-C for the B and C seam mine plans). The Eastern Lease Modification and permit
boundary adjustment (PR-03) will not disturb any additional surface acreage in this permit
term except for the effects of subsidence. With the approval of PR-03, 3,518 acres will be
added to the permit area. (See Map 5-006 in the permit document for the location of the
Eastern Lease Modification).
The surface lands within the permit area include lands owned by Pacific Basin Resources
and federally owned lands (USFS and BLM). The coal reserve owners include Pacific Basin
Resources, other private entities and federal agencies.
Surface facilities are located in the Elk Creek, Bear Creek, Hubbard Creek and Sanborn
Creek drainages on the north side of the North Fork (Figure 1). Mining areas include
workings under the Hubbazd, Elk, Beaz Creek and Coal Gulch drainages. Proposed
workings of the Sanborn Creek East Tract will undermine A, B, C and Hoopla Gulches,
Bazdine Canyon, Hawk's Nest Creek and an unnamed tributary of Thompson Creek.
Hubbazd Creek is a perennial tributary of the North Fork and provides both domestic and
agricultural supplies of water. Bear Creek, Elk Creek and Sanborn Creek are intermittent
streams. Coal Gulch, the unnamed drainage, A, B and C Gulches, Hawk's Nest Creek,
Hoopla Gulch, Bardine Canyon and Thompson Creek are all ephemeral drainages that flow
to the North Fork.
Sanborn Crtek Mine 6 Permit Rcvisioo No. 3