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Stipulation #23
<br />The operator is required to submit a plan for the abandonment of all wells located on BLM property
<br />no later than January 25, 2002. This plan needs to address the proper abandonment and sealing of
<br />all wells and a timetable so that all wells are abandoned and reclaimed by 31 May 2002.
<br />Status: Complied with 1-31-2003
<br />SUMMARY
<br />The Review Process
<br />On July 30, 1980, Kerr Coal Company submitted a permit application document to the Colorado
<br />Mined Land Reclamation Division and to the Federal Office of Surface Mining to continue and
<br />expand its existing operations at the Marr Strip Mine site. The application was assessed as
<br />complete on August 27, 1980, and a findings document was issued on January 13, 1981, with
<br />twelve (12) stipulations. The pemut document was issued on March 20, 1981. The Division
<br />prepared amid-term review on February 28, 1984, and Kerr responses came in on June 14, 1984.
<br />On September 6, 1985, Kerr Coal submitted their first renewal application for the second permit
<br />term. The Division responded with an adequacy letter on December 31, 1985. A fmdings
<br />document with seven (7) stipulations was issued on April 24, 1986. The renewal pernut was sent
<br />out on July 22, 1986.
<br />On October 2, 1986, specific findings were re-written regazding the bond. Kerr Coal Company
<br />requested a formal hearing on the fmdings and accompanying stipulations. The Mined Land
<br />Reclamation Boazd and Kerr Coal Company ultimately signed a settlement agreement on
<br />Febntary 25, 1987, which required a bond of $5,500,000 for the existing disturbance.
<br />On September 20, 1990, Ken• submitted a renewal application for the third permit term. The
<br />Division presented preliminary adequacy concerns on October 3, 1990. Additional adequacy
<br />concerns were sent to the operator on December 13, September 30, 1990, October 17, December
<br />18, and February 14, 1992. On December 1, 1992, specific fmdings were issued concerning the
<br />renewal. Stipulation No. 20 was added to the permit on December 9, 1992, requiring Kerr Coal to
<br />develop a revised reclamation liability amount. During the eazly part of 1993, the Division and
<br />Kerr Coal evaluated the reclamation liability at the mine site and determined that the $5,500,000
<br />bond was sufficient.
<br />The Division prepared amid-term review on August 17, 1994. The Division did not require any
<br />permit modifications at that time, beyond those that were being addressed through Bond Release
<br />Request No. SL-O1, submitted on Mazch 18, 1994.
<br />On September 22, 1995, Kerr Coal Company filed a complete application for a permit renewal for
<br />the fourth permit term. The Division concluded the review of the application on Mazch 18, 1996.
<br />On March 25, 1996, the Division sent its adequacy review letter to Ken Coal, identifying those
<br />Marr Mine Permit Renewa105
<br />l7 March 2006
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