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<br />This document presents the results of the Midterm Review of Kaiser Venture's Colorado <br />Coal Mine No. 1 conducted by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (Division). <br />This Midterm Review was conducted to fulfill the requirements of the Colorado Surface <br />Coal Mining Reclamation Act and Rules 2.08.3, 2.06.2(9), 2.06.3(4), 2.06.5(3), 2.06.7(5), and <br />3.02.2(4) of the Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for <br />Coal Mining. <br />Rule 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued, prior to its <br />midterm (2~/z years). Based on this review, for good cause shown, the Division may require <br />reasonable revisions to, or modifications of, the permit provisions to ensure compliance with <br />the Act and Regulations. <br />Rules 2.06.2, 2.06.3, 2.06.5, and 2.06.7 require that during the midterm review, where <br />applicable, experimental practices, mountaintop removal variances, variances from <br />approximate original contour (AOC), and variances from contemporaneous reclamation, <br />respectively, be reviewed by the Division. The Colorado Coal Mine No. 1 does not conduct <br />experimental practices, nor have variances been granted for mountaintop removal or <br />approximate original contour. <br />Rule 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of performance bond liability <br />and the terms of acceptance of the bond every 2yz years. <br />This midterm review consisted of a detailed review of the Colorado Coal Mine No. 1 permit <br />application and previous Division findings of compliance to identify any items that may have <br />been overlooked during the initial review. The Division also reviewed all subsequent <br />revisions and responses to ensure that all permit commitments and conditions were being <br />followed. Hydrologic monitoring data was reviewed in conjunction with the review of the <br />application to assess the adequacy of the monitoring plan and discussion of predicted <br />hydrologic impacts. Problems and observations from past Division inspection reports were <br />also considered. <br />Section 1 -History <br />The Colorado Coal Mine No. 1 was initially operated by the Colorado Coal Mining <br />Company (GCMG) under Interim Permit No. 80-59, granted on June 26, 1980. A permanent <br />program permit was applied for on February 9, 1981. In July of 1981, Perma Resources, <br />parent of Colorado Coal Mining Company, filed a Notice of Exploration (CX-127-O1). <br />Mining began in May 1982 under this exploration permit for a test burn. This mining <br />resulted in the removal of approximately 35,000 tons of coal and a total disturbance of 73.5 <br />acres. <br />Because of numerous concerns of the Division related to surface hydrology and groundwater <br />issues, CCMC modified their proposed mine plan and submitted a "dry mine" plan in <br />December 1982. This plan was approved by the Division as described in the June 16, 1983 <br />Findings of Compliance. A mining permit for coal was issued to CCMC for the Colorado <br />Coal Mine No. 1 on March 12, 1984. The mining allowed by this permit, however, never <br />