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The Division sent its preliminary adequacy review letter on April 14, 2003. The Division had <br />questions and comments concerning soils, vegetation, protection of wildlife, geo-technical <br />aspects, surface water hydrology, the AVS and maps. The reclamation cost estimate calculation <br />was delayed until the major issues in Permit Revision No. 7 were resolved. <br />BRL submitted its preliminary adequacy review responses in a submittal dated April 24, 2003 <br />and received at the Division on April 25, 2003. Additional information was sent by BRL in a <br />submittal dated May 1, 2003 and received at the Division on May 2, 2003. <br />The Division sent its final adequacy letter to BRL on May 7, 2003. The Division included the <br />reclamation cost estimate in the amount of $370,186.00 for the activities proposed in Permit <br />Revision No. 7. BRL responded on May 12, 2003. Al] outstanding issues were resolved. <br />Descriation of the Environment <br />The Bowie No. 2 coal mine permit azea includes 5076 surface acres, of which 2602 surface acres <br />are federally owned and 2474 acres aze privately owned. The coal and the surface lands within <br />the present permit area aze both federally and privately owned, as are the surface azeas that have <br />been disturbed by surface developments. The total approved disturbed azea by surface operations <br />is 160.8 acres. <br />In the original permit application review, following discussions with the OSM in Denver and <br />based upon the specific reconunendations of the OSM, it had been determined that the Bowie <br />No. 2 Mine would be considered a private mine for the purposes of permitting and inspection <br />regulation. However, the Bowie No. 2 Mine became a federal mine upon approval of Technical <br />Revision No. 16. Through that revision, BRL was granted permission to conduct mining in a <br />limited azea of the Iron Point Tract Federal Lease. <br />The Bowie No. 2 Mine is located in Delta County, approximately five (5} miles northeast of <br />Paonia, Colorado. The mine permit azea is located on lands depicted on the U. S. Geological <br />Survey 7.5 minute Bowie Quadrangle Map, and the Bowie No. 2 mine portals are located <br />northwest of the Old King Mine portals (also known as the Bowie Mine). The surface facilities <br />are located north and south of Old State Highway 133 neaz the" old townsite of Bowie. The mine <br />is located between Terror Creek and Hubbazd Creek. A portion of the surface facilities is within <br />100 feet of the outside right-of--way of old State Highway 133. The location of these facilities <br />extends from the old townsite of Bowie to about 500 feet east of the old Bowie power plant. <br />The original Bowie No. 2 Mine permit application indicated that mining would be conducted <br />using the room and pillaz mirting method. Permit Revision No. 3 changed the mining method to <br />longwall mining but kept the rate of production at two million tons per yeaz. Approval of Permit <br />Revision No. 3 increased maximum mine production to five million tons per yeaz. Approval of <br />Permit Revision No. 6 increased coal production to 6 million tons per yeaz. Mining is currently <br />in the D-2 coal seam. Approval of Permit Revision No. 7 will permit the construction of portals <br />and facilities to mine the B-seam. Detailed information regazding the Bowie No. 2 Mine and <br />11 <br />