Laserfiche WebLink
Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(h) the Division finds that Western Associated Coal <br />Corporation does not control and has not controlled any mining operations with <br />a demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the Act of such nature, <br />duration, and with such resulting irreparable damage to the environment as to <br />indicate an intent not to comply with the provisions of the Act. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />II. Land Use (2.04.3, 2.05.5, 4.16) <br />Site description and land use information is provided on pages 28-30 of Volume <br />I of the application. Mining in the permit area began at the Cameo mine in <br />1899 and at the Roadside mine shortly thereafter. Due to the long history of <br />mining in the area, and the developed nature of Debeque Canyon (Interstate 70 <br />and the Cameo Power Plant are immediately adjacent to the permit area), the <br />applicant has proposed a post-mining land use of undeveloped land for the <br />disturbed areas within the permit area. Undeveloped land is, by definition, <br />land with no current use or level of management. As such, the primary <br />objectives of the reclamation plan are to establish the original contours and <br />stabilize the surface through the establishment of an effective, permanent <br />vegetative cover. The proposed seed mix should establish species which will <br />be compatible with the surrounding undisturbed vegetation. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(1), the post-mining land use of undeveloped land <br />proposed by the applicant is hereby approved by the Division. Undeveloped <br />land will meet the requirements of Rule 4.16. <br />III. Cultural and Historic Resources (2.04.4, 2.05.6(4)) <br />The applicant's cultural and historic resource information in Section 2.04.4 <br />of Volumes I and V and Appendices AA and DD of Volume VI were reviewed by the <br />Division for compliance. Additionally, the Division has reviewed the <br />applicant's cultural and historic resource information for the Cameo Refuse <br />Disposal Areas No. 2 and No. 3. This information can be found in Appendix YY <br />of the permit revision application. <br />The Colorado Historical Society in consultation with the Bureau of Land <br />Management have determined that there will be no effect to cultural resources. <br />Underground coal mining operations in and adjacent to the lease areas began in <br />1899 and have run continuously to the present. According to the current <br />mining plan, no additional surface lands will be affected during the life of <br />the permit. All coal will be mined through the existing surface facilities of <br />the Roadside and Cameo mines. There is a possibility, however, for the <br />occurrence of subsidence in areas where underground mining will take place. <br />-9- <br />