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GENERAL32209
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Last modified
8/24/2016 7:54:54 PM
Creation date
11/23/2007 7:14:25 AM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
C1980007
IBM Index Class Name
General Documents
Doc Date
3/19/2007
Doc Name
Draft EIS Deer Creek Shaft/E-Seam MDWs Part 2
From
Forest Service
To
DRMs
Permit Index Doc Type
General Correspondence
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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<br />given to MCC's request for mine-related operations in an IRA, and whether such <br />activities can be conducted in a manner consistent with the RACR. <br />Road construction activities associated with methane drainage wells proposed in the West <br />Elk IRA are exempt from the prohibitions of the RACR under Exception No. 1 - <br />protection of public health and safety in the cases of imminent threat that without <br />intervention would cause loss of life or property. Most of the road construction <br />associated with the wells is also exempt from prohibitions of the RACR under Exception <br />No. 7 -continuation, extension, renewal of a mineral lease on lands that were under lease <br />as of 1/12/2001. One-tenth mile of road constmction on a portion of a coal lease that was <br />modified on October 15, 2001 is exempt under Exception No. 1, but may or may not be <br />exempt under Exception No. 7. <br />Background and Description of Project <br />Mountain Coal Company (MCC) operates the West Elk Mine on federal coal leases <br />underlying the GMUG. Since 2001, the underground mining operations have <br />encountered quantities ofnaturally-occurring methane gas that left unmitigated, can <br />create hazardous working conditions. Since 2001, the GMUG and the Forest Service <br />Rocky Mountain Regional Office have analyzed and approved several methane drainage <br />projects to continue operations at the West Elk Mine, including the Coal Methane <br />Drainage Project Panels 16-24 Mountain Coal Company- West Elk Mine <br />Environmental Assessment and DN/FONSI (signed by Regional Forester Rick Cables <br />in May 2002). These project decisions have approved over 50 methane drainage well <br />locations and about 20 miles or road construction in the West Elk IRA. Operations and <br />contemporaneous reclamation have been on-going since these approvals were given. It is <br />currently estimated that about 25 methane drainage well locations are currently operating, <br />and 10 miles of project roads are in place within the IRA. About 23 additional methane <br />drainage well locations have been constructed and reclaimed, along with 10 miles of road <br />that have been constructed and decommissioned by obliteration. <br />Current Operations and Mining Requirements <br />The West Elk Mine operations are now moving into an area of leased federal coal <br />reserves known as the E Seam reserves. To comply with Mine Safety and Health <br />Administration (MSHA) requirements, the mine plan calls for an additional ventilation <br />shaft and escapeway and methane drainage wells to support the mine ventilation system <br />and provide for underground worker safety. MS!-IA requires that underground coal <br />mines maintain low methane levels to ensure worker safety. MCC cannot meet these <br />requirements without the methane drainage wells. Consequently, MCC has applied to <br />install these facilities on their federal coal leases, some of which overlap with the West <br />Elk IRA. <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />~~ <br />L_l <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />CJ <br /> <br />t <br /> <br />
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