GENERAL33473

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 9/20/2000
• Doc Name: MEMO POWDERHORN COAL CO PERMITTING ISSUES
• From: DMG
• To: BRUCE FOWLER BLM
• Permit Index Doc Type: GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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899
STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department o(Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203 D I v 15 1 o N o r
Phone: [phone] M I IJ E R A L S
FAX: [phone] ~ &
DATE: September 20, 2000 G E O L O G Y
RECLAMATION
MINING•SAFETY
TO: Bruce Fowler, BLM Grand Jun lion Resource Area
FROM: Dan Mathews, DMG ~ ~~ R,u Owens
Governor
Greg E Watcher
RE: Powderhorn Coal Company Permitting Is ues Execwrve Direcor
Michael B. LOng
Division Director
Bruce, per your request (or a permitting status summary relayed by Dave Berry...
Rather than reinventing the wheel, see Ote enclosed sununary 1 prepared for our A.G.'s office dated June
29, 2000. As you know, Quaker Coal and all of its subsidiaries including Powderhom Coal Co. filed for
Chapter l1 banlwptcy on June 16, 2000. Below is an update regarding permitting matters since June 29.
Give me a call if you have questions, and let me know when you can accompany me on-site. I could do it
the 28's or 29u' of Sept., or the Su', 6'", or 10's of Oct., or the week of Oct, 23.
Technical Revision~)32: Revision Order Mine Closure Reclamation Plan Chan
(/ ~-1``~ ~ DMG issued an adequacy review letter on TR-32 on Aug. I0, 2000. Substantive questions to be addressed
Jr'^' ~ by operator include: (1) hydrologic and geomorphic concems regarding proposed final configtuation of
~/`' ,1r CRDA-2 refuse area and-associated upper diversion ditch; (2) geomorphic concems regarding final design
„ ~"'/ configuration for Coal Creek permanent channel diversion immediately downstream of the "upper dip
~ ,,,~1- section" culverts. Associated concerrLS regarding whether the dip section concrete swcture and other
/~/"~ culverts along Coal Creek through the permit area will be retained or replaced with low water crossings for
final reclamation. BLM has expressed their desire for culvert retention and offered recommendations with
regard to final stream channel and culvert structure modifications. Operator is awaiting futThef_input [iom
DMG before responding to these concerns; (3) concems regarding adequacy of sediment control measures
proposed for final reclamation in the train loadout vicinity.
Mid-term Permit Review
The Division's mid-term review was issued August 8, 2000. Certain issues regarding final reclamation
which had not been raised in the "Revision Order" were addressed N the ndterm letter, and appropriate
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' revision of the permit was requeried. Substantive issues to be addressed by the operator include: (1)
Z sediment control plan for final reclamation areas at the North Portal Coal Handling Area, Ote 2-West
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" Portals, and the South Fan and Borrow Area; (2) evaluation of effect of seepage in the vicinity of the South
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' Portals on fatal backfill stability in that area: (3) evaluation of need for provision for drainage pipes through
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modified surface drainage plan for reclaimed
.~.~ South Portal facilities area and Roadside Refuse Disposal Area (RSRDA); (5) identification of an
altemalive soil borrow area for non-toxic refuse cover for RSRDA; (6) evaluation of revegetation success
standards and possible need for remedial revegetation veatntents in certain previously revegetated areas;
and, (7) update tear and maps to reflect Ute Water Conservancy District's new six foot diameter steel
Plateau Creek mw water pipe. Midterm response is due October 8, 2000.
Technical Revision) 33: South Mine Permanent Dewaterin~Plan
TR-33 was deemed complete on July 12, 2000. In an adequacy letter dated September 5, 2000, the
Division requested operator to provide an amended design which would include provision for a