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~, STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman $t., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3567 FAX: (303) 832-8106 August 5, 1999 Mr. Nathan Moore Permits Unit Water Quality Protection Section Water Quality Control Division Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denier, Colorado 80246-1530 Re: Division of Minerals and Geology, Storm Water Management Plan; Coal Basin Mine Pond Reclamation Dear Mr. Moore DIVISION OF MINERALS GEOLOGY RECLAMATION MINING•SAFETY BiII Owens Governor Greg E. watcher Executive DlfeCtw Michael 6. Long Division Director The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) is in the process of accomplishing reclamation at the former Coal Basin Mine. As you may know, this was a previously permitted coal mining operation. The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board has revoked the operating permit and forfeited the reclamation bond. As required by statute, the Division is accomplishing reclamation of the site. Part of the required reclamation includes removal of the sediment containment ponds located at the site. These ponds are covered by a CDPS permit held by Mid-Continent Resources, the former operator of the Mine. As per previous conversations between our agencies, the Division of Minerals and Geology is submitting a Storm Water Management Pion which addresses reclamation constmction to be conducted at some of the sediment ponds at the Coal Basin Mine Site. The enclosed Storm Water Managemem PLm addresses the Best Managemem Practices to be employed by the Division and its contractors as the ponds are reclaimed. Briefly, reclamation of the ponds will generally entail removal of the corrugated metal pipe dewatering devices, and construction of rock tined spillways in the pond embankments. Wetlands species would be planted at the margins of the ponds. Reclamation in this manner will allow the ponds to continue to function as stilhng basins, while promoting the creation of constructed wetlands at each location. The majority of the ponds would be reclaimed in 2000, while a few may be reclaimed in 1999. The Division anticipates completing all reclamation activities in Coal Basin during the fall of 2000. We anticipate conducting maintenance operations for a limited time following completion of reclamation constmction, depending on the availability of funds. A[ that time the Division will Have completed its reclamation activities, and will then apply for permit termination. This proposed plan does not include or cover the 003 outfall at Mine 5, or the 016 outfall near the Rock Tunnel on land owned by Mid-Con Realty, LLC, both of which may receive mine water discharges. A tabulation of the ponds to be reclaimed m the manner described above is attached to the Management Plan The U. S. Forest Service, land nlarlagemem agency for the majority of Coal Basin, has endorsed this proposal, as have Mid-Con Realty, LLC, land owner of the privately held properties within the former permit area, and the Trustee for Mid-Continent Resources.