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iii iiiiiiiiiiii iii <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman 51., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (3011 866.1567 <br />FA%:13031 87 2-8106 <br />July 9, 1996 <br />Mr. David Fine <br />Horizon Coal Services <br />16 East Granite Street <br />Butte, MT 59701 <br />RE: Coal Exploration Reclamation <br />Golden Eagle Mine, $C-81-0 <br />New Elk Mine, $C-81-012 <br />Dear Mr. Fine: <br />~~'~ <br />DEPARTMEN'T' OF <br />NATURAL <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Romer <br />Gaverrgr <br />lames 5. Lochhead <br />Executive Ovecmr <br />Michael B. Long <br />Division Director <br />I have reviewed your correspondence of June 28, 1996 concerning <br />your intentions with regard to coal exploration reclamation <br />activities for various explorations permits and revisions to the <br />Golden Eagle and New Elk coal mining permits. My comments are <br />organized and numbered as per your correspondence. <br />During our joint field inspection conducted in mid-June of <br />this year, we observed a number of sites that had been <br />previously reclaimed. All of these sites appeared well <br />vegetated and no evidence of erosional activity was noted. <br />Continuing with similar reclamation practices which have <br />produces these excellent results would be the Division's only <br />comment. The sites completed as monitoring wells are not <br />currently included in the hydrologic monitoring plan; <br />therefore, they can be eliminated and reclaimed without <br />revision to the approved hydrologic monitoring program. The <br />plugging and sealing methods proposed are consistent with the <br />requirements of the applicable regulations of Rule 4.07. <br />Please find attached a Coal Exploration Drill Hole or Well <br />Abandonment Report which is required to be completed and <br />submitted, for each hole sealed, within 60 days of abandonment <br />activities. As we discussed, the volume of sealant used <br />compared to the volume of the hole will be the primary <br />indicator of successful sealing using the method of <br />introducing bentonite chips from the surface. <br />Degas hole sealing plans appear appropriate and the Division <br />notes the use of a tremie pipe to seal the hole from bottom to <br />top. <br />