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• <br />-9- <br />The Division also finds, to accordance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(h), that the <br />Snowmass Coal Company does not control and has not controlled any mining <br />operation with a demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the Act of <br />such nature, duration, and with such resulting irreparable damage to the <br />environment as to Indicate an intent not to comply with the provisions of <br />the Act. <br />II. Land Use - Rules 2.04.3. 2.05.5 and 4.16 <br />Site description and land use information is provided in the application <br />on pages 3-1 to 3-12 of Volume I. Proposed post-mining land uses and <br />land management plans are located on pages 4-97 to 4-103 of Volume I. <br />The fairly steep terrain and shallow depth to bedrock have limited the <br />\ potential surface productivity of the land adjacent to the mine. Coal <br />mintng has been the dominant use of the land in North Thompson Creek <br />valley since 1952. In addition to the Snowmass Coal Company - North <br />Thompson Creek Mtne, many other small abandoned coal mines dot the nearby <br />terrain. Table 3.2.1-1 of Volume I of the application lists nine <br />historic mines of the area. <br />At the completion of mining, the mine site will be returned to a <br />condition of unimproved rangeland. This land use is consistent with the <br />surface owners plans, as well as Current Pttktn county requirements which <br />authorite agricultural/forestry land use. <br />The loadout areas of disturbance affect an irrigated hay meadow and <br />pasture. No significant disturbance to the ad,)acent areas of <br />pinyon-juniper or riparian lands has occurred. At the completion of <br />mintng, the loadout will be returned to the condition of agricultural <br />use. This use is 1n compliance with current Garfield County zoning <br />requirements, as well as the desires of the landowner. <br />The Division finds the proposed post-mining land uses to be in compliance <br />with the requirements of Rule 4.16. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2), the <br />Division hereby approves these post-mining land uses. <br />The application 1s in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />III. Cultural and Historic Resources - Rules 2.04.4 and 2.05.6(4) <br />The cultural and historic resources information is discussed 1n Volume I, <br />page 3-12 and 1n Volume II, Appendix 3-B of the permit application. The <br />Division reviewed this section 1n cooperation with the Colorado State ;~ <br />Historical Preservation Officer. <br />At the mine site, no new signlfitcant disturbance to the site is planned. <br />Therefore, cultural and historic resources ad,Jacent to the mine, if any, <br />will be preserved. No cultural or historic resources are listed 1n, or <br />proposed for Inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places for <br />the mine area. <br />