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Findings of the <br /> Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br /> for the <br /> West Elk Mine <br /> Explanation of Findings <br /> Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2) of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation <br /> Board for Coal Mining, and the approved state program, the Division of Minerals and <br /> Geology or the Board must make specific written findings prior to issuance of a permit, <br /> permit renewal or permit revision. These findings are based on information made available <br /> to the Division that demonstrates that the applicant will be able to operate in compliance with <br /> the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Regulations promulgated <br /> Pursuant to the Act. <br /> The findings in the following sections required by Rule 2.07.6(2) are listed in accordance <br /> with that Rule. The findings and specific approvals required pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(m) <br /> are listed in accordance with Rule 4 and are organized under subject or discipline subtitles. <br /> This findings document is updated upon permit renewal, which occurs every five years for <br /> most mines, and upon approval of a permit revision. This is the findings document for the <br /> permit revision which proposes to expand the permit area by 2,500 acres to include the <br /> Apache Rocks area. The following findings were reevaluated and updated, if necessary, to <br /> reflect changes which have occurred as a result of this revision. <br /> Section A <br /> Findings Required by Rule 2.07.6(2). <br /> 1. The permit application is accurate and complete. All requirements of the Act and <br /> these rules have been complied with (2.07.6(2)(a)). <br /> 2. Based on information contained in the permit application and other information <br /> available to the Division, the Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation <br /> can be feasibly accomplished at the West Elk Mine (2.07.6(2)(b)). <br /> 3. The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal mining in <br /> the general area on the: hydrologic balance, as described in 2.05.6(3), has been made <br /> by the Division. This assessment, entitled "Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study - <br /> North Fork of the Gunnison River," is available for inspection at the offices of the <br /> Division. The Division finds that the operations proposed under the application have <br /> been designed to prevent damage to the hydrologic balance outside the proposed <br /> permit area (2.07.6(2)(c)). <br /> 4. The Division finds that the -permit area is, subject to-valid rights existing as of August <br /> 3, 1977, not within: <br /> 16 <br />