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1. Introduction
<br />This document is the decision package (Decision) prepared by the Colorado Division of Minerals
<br />and Geology (Division) for the renewal of an existing permit for the Colowyo Coal Mine (Mine).
<br />This document updates the findings documents prepared in 1982, 1987, 1989, and 1992, and
<br />includes: 1) the proposed decision to the renewal application; 2) a summary which includes a
<br />history of the renewal application, a description of the environment affected by the operation,
<br />and a description of the mining and reclamation plan; and 3) the written findings of compliance
<br />the Division has made as required by the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act.
<br />Detailed information concerning the findings of compliance can be found in the Regulations of
<br />the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining (Rules). This document describes
<br />findings as of a point in time, recognizing that the Application is for an on-going activity, subject
<br />to continuing changes (revisions) as situations develop and decree.
<br />The Division has received an application for a third permit renewal (RN-03) to conduct surface
<br />coal mining and reclamation operations at the Mine. The renewal application (Application) was
<br />submitted by the Colowyo Coal Company L.P. (Colowyo). Colowyo, owned by Kennecott
<br />Energy, operates the Mine. The Mine is located on.federal, state and private lands within Moffat
<br />and Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado. Operations at the Mine began in 1976, under Colorado
<br />Mined Land Reclamation Division (CMLRD) Extraction and Development Permit 76-IS C/A,
<br />and have continued without cessation to this time.
<br />When the renewal is approved, the pages, maps, drawings, etc. of the Application will be collated
<br />into the Permit.
<br />1.1 Legal Description
<br />The permit area is located in:
<br />Sections 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22, Township 3 North, Range 93
<br />West (T3N R93W); and Sections 13, 15, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33, and 34, Township 4
<br />North, Range 93 West (T4N R93W); of the 6th Principal Meridian.
<br />A more precise legal description can be found on page 2.03-15 of the Application. There is no
<br />change in the present legal description of the Permit as a result of the Application.
<br />1.2 Acronyms and Abbreviations
<br />AHR Annual Hydrologic Report
<br />AOC approximate original contour
<br />Application The application for Permit Renewal Number 3 to Permit C-81-019 unless
<br />otherwise specified. This packet consists of a renewal application form
<br />and supporting information, materials, documents, etc. pertaining to
<br />Renewal 3 of the Permit. Although identified sepazately in this findings,
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