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-7- Summary The Review Process Colorado Coal Mining Co. (GCMG) has applied for a permit under the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act to mine coal at the Colorado Coal Mine No. 1. The mine is located in Huerfano County, Colorado approximately 4 miles northwest of the town of Walsenburg, Colorado along State Highway ti9, in sections 25 and 36, T27S, R61W. On June 26, 1980 CCMC was granted interim permit no. 8U-59. CCMC submitted an application for a new permit pursuant to section 34-33-109 of the Act on February 9, 1981. Since that time the application has been under review by the Division to determine compliance with the Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. Mining for coal to be used in a test burn commenced in play 1982 and will continue on a periodic basis until a coal contract has been obtained. On April 21, 1981, the Division sent a letter to CCMC which identified deficiencies in the application which were noted during the preliminary adequacy review. Another letter with additional comments on deficiencies was sent to CCMC on May 21, 1981. Resolution of these deficiencies is required in order for the Division to make determinations of compliance with the Act and the Rules and Regulations. CCMC rsponded to the comments in a meeting at the Uivision offices on June 30, 1981. The responses to the letter and the meeting were submitted in part on November 13, 1981 and December 9, 1981. These responses were reviewed and some preliminary findings of compliance and additional adequacy comments were drafted. This Draft Findings document was forwarded to the applicant on February 8, 1982. Additional infornation in response to the Draft Findings was submitted by CCMC in July, Hugust, September, and October 1982. This information was reviewed and comments were forwarded to the applicant. Despite the exchange of information that had occurred up to this point there remained several deficiencies that continued to prevent the Division from maKing the findings of compliance necessary to approve a permit application. These deficiencies were primarily concerned with baseline surface hydrology information and plans to dewater and mine through old abandoned underground workings and coal seams that contain ground water. Insufficient baseline information was provided to characterize the nature of the Maitland Nrroyo and it's tributaries. Also, since the applicant would be dewatering flooded mine workings, treatment and discharge would be necessary and specific approvals from the Colorado Department of Health would be required. The Colorado Division of Water Resources would also have to review the plan to dete rnine if augmentation would be required for local water users.