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This document presents the results of the Division's Midterm Review of the Seneca Coal <br />Company's Seneca II Mine permit. This Midterm Review was conducted to fulfill the <br />requirements of Rules 2.08.3, 2.06.2(10), 2.06.3(4), 2.06.7(5) and 3.02.2(4). <br />Rule 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued, prior to its <br />midterm (2 '/z years). Based on this review, for good cause shown, the Division may require <br />reasonable revisions or modifications of the permit provisions to ensure compliance with the Act <br />and Regulations. <br />Rules 2.06.2, 2.06.3, 2.06.5 and 2.05.7 require that experimental practices, mountaintop removal, <br />variances from approximate original contour (AOC) and vaziances from contemporaneous <br />reclamation, respectively, be reviewed by the Division where applicable during the Midterm <br />Review. The Seneca II Mine does not have any experimental practices or any variances from <br />mountaintop removal or AOC. However, the Division previously granted a variance from <br />contemporaneous reclamation (see Section V of this document). <br />Rule 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of the bond and the terms of <br />acceptance of the bond every 2 '/z yeazs. <br />This Midterm Review consisted of a detailed review of the Seneca II Mine permit application <br />and Findings Document to identify any items that may have been overlooked during the initial <br />review. The Division also reviewed all subsequent revisions and stipulation responses to ensure <br />that all permit commitments and conditions were being followed. Problems and observations <br />from past inspection reports were also considered. <br />SECTION I - HISTORY.OF SITE <br />The Seneca II Mine is a surface coal mine located approximately 9 miles southeast of Hayden, <br />Colorado in Routt County. Coal interest is federal, state, and private, and the surface affected is <br />state and private land. The permit area encompasses approximately 3,457 acres. <br />On August 19, 1996, Seneca Coal Company submitted an application to renew the valid, existing <br />permit for surface mining operations at the Seneca II Mine. The application was approved with <br />conditions on July 25, 1997. The five yeaz permit term was renewed effective February 17, 1997,. <br />and will expire on February 17, 2002. <br />Mining operations have been completed in the Wolf Creek and Wadge pits. The Wolf Creek <br />Area pit has been entirely backfilled and graded, and topsoil has been redistributed. Final <br />grading and topsoil redistribution is underway in the Wadge East pit. <br />No enforcement actions were taken since the permit was renewed. <br />