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United States Forest Grand Mesa, 2250 Highway 50 <br />USDA Department of Service Uncompahgre and Delta, CO 81416 <br />Agriculture Gunnison Voice: 970-874-6600 <br />National Forests TDD: 970-874-6660 <br />File Code: 2820-4 <br />Date: October 15, 2007 <br />Mr. Carl Johnston <br />Mine Coordinator, Western Regional Coordinating Center <br />USDI- Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and <br />Enforcement <br />PO Box 46667 <br />Denver, CO 80201-6667 <br />Dear Carl, <br />This letter conveys the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) formal <br />concurrence to OSM for the mine plan modification associated with Mountain Coal Company's TR-109 <br />for the West Elk Mine Deer Creek Shaft (and Escapeway). <br />Via letter dated August 21, 2007, you should have received the following documents: <br />1. GMUG Record of Decision for the Deer Creek Shaft (and Escapeway) that brings forward the <br />post-mining land use and protections for surface resources. <br />2. Communication with the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). <br />3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurrence letter to conclusions related to effects on <br />threatened and endangered species. Please note, the effects of water depletion to the Colorado <br />River fall within the GMUGs programmatic Biological Opinion issued by the FWS in April 2007, <br />~' as described in their letter. <br />Please notify us if you require additional copies of these or other documents related to this project. <br />Please contact Liane Mattson, Leasable Minerals Program leader at (970) 874-6697, or Ryan Taylor, <br />Paonia District Minerals Administrator at (970) 527-4131 should you have questions or need fiuther <br />information. <br />Sincerely, <br />/s/Kendal[ Clark (for) <br />CHARLES S. RICHMOND <br />Forest Supervisor <br />I~~ <br />~++ Caring for the Land and Serving People Pnntetl on Recycletl Paper <br />