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Introduction <br /> This document is the decision package prepared by the Colorado Division of <br /> Minerals and Geology (the "Division") for the West Elk Mine. This document <br /> includes: 1) the proposed decision to approve with stipulations the permit <br /> revision application; 2) a summary which includes a history of the review of <br /> the permit application, a description of the environment affected by the <br /> operation and a description of the mining and reclamation plan; and 3) the <br /> written findings of compliance the Division has made as required by the <br /> Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. Detailed information concerning <br /> the findings of compliance can be found in the Regulations of the Colorado <br /> Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. <br /> The Division has received an application for a permit revision to add <br /> approximately 1,012 acres of Federal Coal Lease COC-54558 to the west of the <br /> permitted mining area. This area is referred to as the Jumbo Mountain Tract. <br /> The application was submitted by Mountain Coal Company (MCC) , and the mine <br /> will be operated by Mountain Coal Company. The mine is located on Federal <br /> lands within Gunnison and Delta Counties, Colorado. The legal description of <br /> the lands included within the permit area is: Sections 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, <br /> 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 34, Township 13 South, Range 90 West of <br /> the 6th P.M. The additional area in Jumbo Mountain is described as follows: <br /> Sections 19: Lots 15 to 18 inclusive; Section 30: Lots 7 and 8, Township 13 <br /> South, Range 90 West of the 6th P.M. ; Section 23 : S% S% NEIX, E34 SEU SWU, and <br /> SEU; Section 24: S34 S% NW, and S34; Section 25: Lots 1 to 4 inclusive; Section <br /> 26: NE2X NE36, Township 13 South, Range 91 West of the 6th P.M. . The location <br /> of the lands can be found on the USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle maps of Bowie and <br /> Somerset. <br /> Proposed Decision <br /> The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology proposes to approve with <br /> stipulations an application for a permit revision to a valid existing permit. <br /> This decision is based on a finding that the operations will comply with all <br /> requirements of the Colorado State Program as found in the Colorado Surface <br /> Coal Mining Reclamation Act, C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq. , and the Regulations <br /> promulgated pursuant to the Act. If no request for a formal hearing is made <br /> within thirty (30) days of the first publication of the issuance of this <br /> proposed decision, then this decision becomes final. Upon submittal of <br /> acceptable surety by the applicant, the permit will be issued. The permit <br /> application, all supporting documentation and any stipulations or conditions <br /> will become a binding part of the permit. <br /> A current list of outstanding stipulations and stipulations added since the <br /> 1991 Permit Renewal is included below. The Findings Document for the 1991 <br /> Permit Renewal includes all stipulations. Details regarding stipulation <br /> resolution can be found in a memorandum to the file dated December 22, 1993 . <br /> Stipulation No. 3 <br /> THE OPERATOR SHALL, UPON CLOSURE, INSTALL WATER-TIGHT SEALS WITHIN THE <br /> MINE TO PREVENT GRAVITY DISCHARGE. THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE WAIVED UPON <br /> THE DIVISION'S APPROVAL OF A PLAN SUBMITTED BY THE OPERATOR. THIS PLAN <br /> SHALL INCLUDE A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE WATER QUALITY OF THE DISCHARGE <br /> FROM THE MINE WORKINGS WILL BE OF ACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND WILL REMAIN <br /> ACCEPTABLE AFTER MINE CLOSURE. THIS SHALL INCLUDE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND <br /> A PREDICTIVE MODEL THAT USES OXIDATION AND REDUCTION POTENTIAL TO <br /> DETERMINE LONG-TERM WATER QUALITY OF MINE WATERS. ALSO, THE PLAN SHALL <br /> INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUITABLE CHANNEL FOR MINE DISCHARGE. <br /> STATUS: Future <br /> 1 <br />