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ii~riiii~iinii~i~i <br />STATE OF COLOI~UU <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Depanment of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman SL, Room 215 I`y~~~ <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 II <br />Phone: (3031 866-3567 <br />FAX: 13031 83 2-8106 <br />DEPAR'CMENT OF <br />July 19, 1996 NATURAL <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Romer <br />Mr. Forrest Luke Governor <br />Environmental Mana er lames S. Lochhrad <br />g Execuuve Director <br />Trapper Mine M,rnael a Eons <br />P. O. BOX 187 Dimsion Duetlor <br />Craig, Colorado 81626 <br />RE: Field Inspection Follow-up, Trapper Mine, Permit No. C-81-010, <br />Trapper Mining Inc. <br />Dear Mr. Luke: <br />This letter is to follow up on an issue that Trapper had reported <br />to the Division on the morning of July 15, 1996, and that had been <br />observed during the normal field inspection later that day. The <br />issue concerns the accidental vegetation burn just east of the <br />Ashmore pit. <br />As the Division understands it, at the same time that an Ashmore <br />pit coal bed blast was initiated, it had been observed that a <br />fireball developed in some vegetation about 1/4 mile to the east. <br />Apparently, the air had been dry and dusty, and this may have led <br />to the fireball. The resulting fire affected about 6 to 7 acres of <br />permitted land. Trapper personnel put out the fire, but the Craig <br />fire department required that the burned vegetation be gathered up <br />and dowsed with water, to ensure that the fire was completely out. <br />This resulted in the area being stripped of most of the vegetation. <br />The Division appreciates that Trapper responded quickly to this <br />fire and in informing the Division of the situation. The Division <br />would like Trapper to supply some additional information concerning <br />this issue: <br />1. Please demonstrate how this blast was in compliance with those <br />sections of Rule 4.08 which refer to blasting parameters. <br />Please include a copy of the specific blasting record. Also, <br />please describe Trapper's interpretation of how this situation <br />may have occurred and how it can be avoided in the future. <br />2. Please describe the condition of the topsoil considering the <br />burn and the subsequent compaction from the use of heavy <br />equipment in putting out the fire. <br />