Laserfiche WebLink
III IIIIIIIIIIIII III STATE OF COLORADO <br />Roy Romer, Governor <br />Q <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION <br />FRED R. BANTA, Dlrsetor <br />December 2, 1987 <br />Mr. Lee Crump <br />P.0. Box 388 <br />Walsenburg, Colorado 81089 <br />Re: Colorado Coal Mine Company <br />Dear Mr. Crump: <br />During our coal mine inspection of October 14, 1987 Jim Stevens and I met with <br />you to discuss some concerns you had with the mine drainage. The problem as <br />you described it was that the mine diverted upland drainage from small <br />ephemeral channels around the mine site to the arroyo on the north side of the <br />property. This water used to flow through the mine property and then flood a <br />large low lying area to the east. Some of this water was beneficial in <br />recharging your ranch land. <br />The water was diverted since our rules required that undisturbed (clean water) <br />drainage must be kept away from the mine disturbance where it may pick up <br />sediment and other contaminents or cause excessive erosion or pit flooding. <br />The public comment period on the operators drainage control plan ended several <br />years ago when the original permit application was submitted. At present, it <br />would be difficult to force a modification to the plan unless you could show <br />that you have a water right that was injured. <br />For your information, the mine is owned by Colorado Coal Mining Company, a <br />subsidiary of Kaiser Coal Company. Kaiser filed for creditor <br />protection/reorganization in Bankruptcy Court February, 1987. The mine is in <br />temporary cessation and is reported to be up for sale. If the mine is not <br />sold the company may decide to leave the site idle until market conditions <br />improve or reclaim the site. This is the company's decision. The state holds <br />a E122,400.00 bond to do the reclamation in case the company defaults and <br />requires that the company do routine maintenance at the site. Our inspectors <br />visit the mine at least once per calendar quarter. <br />If you would like to talk with the mining company you may talk to Bill Balaz, <br />Kaiser Coal Company, i02 South Tejon, Suite 800, Colorado Springs, Colorado <br />80901, phone 578-4300. Bill is our contact person and is very responsive and <br />cooperative. He is Kaiser's Senior Mining Engineer and is familiar with the <br />operation. <br />423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203-2273 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />