Laserfiche WebLink
I. PROCEDURES AND SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW PROCESS <br />Sun Coal Company applied for a complete bond release for the portion of the pit area <br />that is owned by Grassy Creek Coal Company, as provided for in the Act, subsequent to <br />final reclamation of that area. The mine is located in Routt County south of State <br />Highway 40, approximately five miles southwest of Milner, Colorado. The mine area is <br />located in portions of Sections 14, 23, 24, 25, and 26 of Township 6 North, Range 87 <br />West of the 6th Principal Meridian. The land within the permit area is owned by John <br />A. and Allie M. Eilts (24 acres) and Grassy Creek Coal Company (76 acres). <br />Phase I and II bond releases were previously granted for the portion of the pit area <br />owned by Grassy Creek Coal Company. Therefore, the application was submitted, <br />reviewed, and findings made herein for only Phase III of bond release for the pit area <br />under Grassy Creek Coal Company ownership. <br />An application for Phase III bond release at the Grassy Creek Coal Company pit area <br />was received by the Division on Mazch 15, 1996. The application was deemed complete <br />on May 30, 1996, after the Division received proof of publication of the applicant's public <br />notice. Sun Coal Company published notice of the bond release application in the <br />Steamboat Pilot once weekly for four consecutive weeks, beginning April 4, 1996. Sun <br />Coal Company also notified land owners within and adjacent to the mine permit area, <br />and other interested parties of the application for bond release, as required by Section <br />3.03.2(1) of the Rules. <br />On July 5, 1996, the Division transmitted adequacy concerns with the application to Sun <br />Coal Company. Sun Coal Company responded to the concerns on July 10, 1996. <br />No comments, written objections, or requests for an informal conference regarding the <br />bond release application were received by the Division. <br />The Division scheduled and conducted a bond release inspection on June 20, 1996. The <br />site inspection was conducted in accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). Bryan Archer of Sun <br />Coal Company, and his consultant, Michael Savage, were present during the inspection. <br />Barbara Bowerman, of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, was <br />also present. John Eilts, owner of land adjacent to the release area but within the permit <br />area, was on site at the beginning of the inspection. The inspectors asked whether Mr. <br />Eilts had any concerns with regard to the release application for Grassy Creek Coal <br />Company owned lands, and he did not. <br />Meadows No. 1 Mine 3 Phase III Bond Rclcaae <br />