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^I I III <br />II <br />III IIII II I <br />o~. <br />~, United States Forest Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and . ^I <br />^ <br />gg9 <br />r Department of <br />~~/ Service Gunnison National Forests Delta, Colorado <br />Agriculture 81416 <br /> 970-874-7691 <br /> ~~I^°I~~i'-~l (TTY/ TDD1 970-874-6660 <br /> a <br /> ~LC !J ~ 10y~ File Code: 2820 <br /> <br />: <br />`~.~. Date: <br />. DcC 0 5 1995 <br /> . ~ .. <br />r i ~Yllhrl J~ <br />)IVISI . I .l <br />CHRISTINE E JOHNSTON <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />OFFICE OF MINED LAND RECLAMATION <br />1313 SHERMAN STREET ROOM 215 <br />DEFINER CO 80203 <br />Daai ~hr. _._..;.~: <br />The Forest has reviewed [he mining and reclamation plan submitted by Mountain <br />Coal Company for the West Elk Mine Apache Rocks Revision No. 06. We have <br />great interest in the activities of Mountain Coal Company, especially when <br />resources of National Forest System lands are potentially affected. We are <br />very impressed with the thoroughness of the plan. <br />As you are aware, the Forest Service manages much of the surface above the <br />area proposed for mining. Our primary interest in the plan is related to <br />surface effects that may occur as a result of mining. Accordingly, relative <br />to the Apache Rocks Revision, our major concern is subsidence. We are <br />concerned that subsidence may cause surface effects on features such as <br />landslides, streams, springs, wetlands, and associated riparian vegetation. <br />Note that a subsidence stipulation was attached to the Box Canyon lease <br />456447. This stipulation supplements State and Federal regulations dealing <br />with subsidence. <br />The Apache Rocks Revision of the West Elk Mine's mining and reclamation plan <br />and attached maps and exhibits submitted by Mountain Coal Company cover the <br />subject of subsidence in great detail. Although the report was written by <br />~nrnnrie,o rl orno.!c ___ t*c f=?1~ rF $;:~~~d ~..^.'-_, ~hc cffe~~> :vi >uuSlde:7~e On <br />ground water and surface waters above mined areas are ye[ to be fully_ <br />understood. However, we are satisfied, at this time, that the discussion <br />adequately covets the effects of subsidence and [hat if effects do occur, they <br />can and will be adequately mitigated. <br />As most of the future development of the West Elk Mine will be under National <br />Forest System lands, we would like to meet with representatives of your <br />agency, the Bureau of Land Mana¢emert. and the Office of Surface Mining to <br />discuss roles and responsibilities in the sdministration of Mountain Coal <br />Company's operations. I suggest we meet in Paonia sometime after the first of <br />the year, perhaps in conjunction with one of your inspection trips to the West <br />Elk Mine. <br />~, Caring for the Land and Serving People <br />UPS Pnmed on Rely^led Paper <br />c.~nnn tee. nv, <br />