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~" <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br />This document contains the proposed decision of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />(Division) in response to a request for Phase I Bond Release at the Twin Pines No. 2 Mine and Coal <br />Sales Yazd, including three exploration drill holes, and Phase II and Phase III Bond Release for the <br />exploration holes (Division File No. C-83-058). The package contains four parts. These include: <br />1) procedures and summary of the bond release process; 2) criteria and schedule for bond release; 3) <br />observations and findings of the Division regazding compliance with the bond release requirements of <br />the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (Act) and regulations promulgated thereunder; and <br />4) the Division's proposed decision on the request for bond release. <br />Detailed information about the review process can be found in the Act and the Regulations of the <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd for Coal Mining (Regulations). All Rules referenced within <br />this document are contained within the Regulations. Detailed information about the mining and <br />reclamation operations can be found in the permit application on file at the Division offices, located <br />at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, in Denver, Colorado. <br />The Twin Pines No. 2 Mine is an underground mine with an associated coal sales yard, which was <br />permitted and operated by Twin Pines Investment, Limited Partnership. The land for which bond <br />release has been requested is privately owned, and coal which was mined from the area was privately <br />owned. Reclamation for which bond release has been requested was completed during 1995. <br />The Twin Pines No. 2 Mine and Coal Sales Yazd sites were both mined and heavily disturbed prior <br />to Twin Pines Investment, Limited Partnership, obtaining a permit and beginning operations in 1983. <br />The Twin Pines No. 2 Mine exhibits a partially reclaimed highwall, which was originally developed <br />during mining activities which predated current permitting requirements. Mining at the mine site <br />occurred from 1968 to 1975. The Golden Quality No. 5 and Last Chance No. 2 Mines operated at <br />this site until 1971, with additional surface stripping through January 1975. The Coal Sales Yard is <br />located at the site of the historic Twin Pines Mine. This mine was operated from 1956 to 1981. <br />Operations at the original Twin Pines Mine created a highwall which has now been largely reclaimed <br />by Twin Pines Investment, Limited Partnership. Additional details regarding the history of the mine <br />and coal sales yard sites are described later in this document. Also included within the following <br />document sections are specific findings pertaining to partial reclamation of the pre-law highwalls at <br />the sites. <br />I. PROCEDURES AND SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW PROCESS <br />Twin Pines Investment, Limited Partnership, applied for bond release under the Colorado Surface Coal <br />Mining Reclamation Act following reclamation of the Twin Pines No. 2 Mine and Coal Sales Yard, <br />and three exploration drill holes. The mine is located in Fremont County, approximately two miles <br />south of Rockvale, Colorado. <br />The Twin Pines No. 2 Mine site is located on approximately 7.6 acres in the SE'k NW'k, and the <br />NE'/a NW'k of Section 2, Township 20 South, Range 70 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, Fremont <br />County, Colorado. <br />