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<br /> <br />Memo to Susan McCannon <br />Tatum Letter of May 11, 1995 <br />page 3 <br />information earlier we would have provided a copy to the Tatums upon <br />request. <br />The two monuments installed adjacent to the Railroad tracks, for which BRI <br />has recently provided survey monitoring results indicate a rise of point "B" <br />by 0.005 foot, a drop of point "IN-2" by 0.036 foot, and a rise of point "IN- <br />1 " by 0.155 foot. In accordance with the "Classification, Standards of <br />Accuracy, and General Specifications of Geodetic Control Surveys", <br />published by the U.S. Department of Commerce in February,1974, Second <br />Order, Class II standards of accuracy are recommended for "rapid <br />subsidence studies". The Division has imposed this standard for accuracy <br />on subsidence monitoring surveys completed by Coal Mine operators. <br />Second Order, Class II accuracy standards specify 1 part in 20,000 for <br />horizontal accuracy and 1.3 mm IKI'~Z for vertical accuracy, where K is the <br />transect distance in kilometers. Over the transect length of approximately <br />6640 feet to point "IN-1 ", the allowable horizontal variance would be <br />10.332 foot and the allowable vertical variance would be ±0.006 foot. <br />Using this accuracy threshold, the movement at point "B" is insignificant and <br />would be considered anon-detection. The movements at "IN-1 " and IN-2" <br />would be considered a potential detect. <br />When requiring the installation of grid line monuments for subsidence <br />monitoring and movement detection the Division requires the installation of <br />monuments, preferably at a spacing equivalent to approximately 1 /10 the <br />maximum overburden thickness. This provides two benefits: (1) increased <br />accuracy in determining the angle of draw; and (2) a sufficient number of <br />monuments to allow comparative verification of monument stability. The <br />Division prefers the installation of a collared and drained monument, intended <br />to minimize freeze-thaw heave. Isolated driven monuments, such as those <br />installed at BRI's discretion adjacent to the tracks, are prone to instability. In <br />addition, monument installations in the vicinity of a facility such as a railroad <br />track or highway are prone to vibrational and loading instability which can <br />also cause non-subsidence induced movement of the monuments. <br />It was with consideration of all of these factors that I have observed in my <br />February 8th memorandum: "I also examined the railroad right-of-way which <br />runs east-west, approximately 400 feet south of the Tatum structure. The <br />mine workings have undermined portions of the railroad right-of-way. The <br />rails are straight and level. No vertical or horizontal distortions could be <br />detected with the naked eye." I continue to hold this opinion. <br /> <br />