GENERAL45390

• Permit No: C1981025
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 7/8/1983
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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The Division also finds, in accordance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(h), that the
Snowmass Coal Company does not control and has not controlled any mining
operation with a demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the Act of
such nature, duration, and with such resulting irreparable damage to the
environment as to indicate an intent not to comply with the provisions of
the Act.
II. Land Use - Rules 2.04.3, 2.05.5 and 4.16
Site description and land use information is provided in the application
on pages 3-1 to 3-12 of Volume I. Proposed post-mining land uses and
land management plans are located on payer 4-97 to 4-103 of Volume I.
The fairly steep terrain and shallow depth to bedrock have limited the
potential surface productivity of the land adjacent to the mine. Coal
mining has been the dominant use of the land in North Thompson Creek
valley since 1952. In addition to the Snowmass Coal Company - North
Thompson Creek Mine, many other small abandoned coal mines dot the nearby
terrain. Table 3.2.1-1 of Volume I of the application lists nine
historic mines of the area.
At the completion of mining, the mine site will be returned to a
condition of unimproved rangeland. This land use is consistent with the
surface owners plans, as well as current Pitkin county requirements which
authorize agricultural/forestry land use.
The loadout areas of disturbance affect an irriyated hay meadow and
pasture. No siynificant disturbance to the adjacent areas of
pinyon-juniper or riparian lands has occurred. At the completion of
mining, the loadout will be returned to the condition of agricultural
use. This use is in compliance with current Garfield County zoning
requirements, as well as the desires of the landowner.
The Division finds the proposed post-mining land uses to be in compliance
with the requirements of Rule 4.16. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2), the
Division hereby approves these post-mining land uses.
The application is in compliance with the requirements of this section.
III. Cultural and Historic Resources - Rules 2.04.4 and 2.05.6(4)
The cultural and historic resources information is discussed in Volume I,
page 3-12 and in Volume II, Appendix 3-B of the permit application. The
Division reviewed this section in cooperation with the Colorado State
Historical Preservation Officer.
At the mine site, no new siynificant disturbance to the site is planned.
Therefore, cultural and historic resources adjacent to the mine, if any,
will be preserved. iVo cultural or historic resources are listed in, or
proposed for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places for
the mine area.