2007-07-30_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 7/30/2007
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision & Findings of Compliance for PR3
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

and 14-9 (Watershed Analysis) were submitted to address specific requirements associated with the Steep
Slope AOC Variance.
March 6, 2007-The Division sent a second adequacy review letter to SCC, based on review of the
preliminary adequacy response submittal. Division comments indicated that 11 ~ofthe original 27 review items
had not been fully resolved by the response package, and the letter included twoiadditional adequacy concerns.
Apri12, 2007-The Division received a letter from SCC dated March 28, 20(1,7, which waived the 180 day
decision time frame of Rule 2.07.4(2)(b), and further requested that the 2"d adequacy response deadline be
extended to April 3Q, 2007. The Division sent a letter to SCC acknowledgit~ig the time frame waiver and
granting the requested extension on the same date. ~'
i ~;
Apri117, 2007-The Division received the 2nd adequacy response submittal from SCC (submittal dated April
17, 2007).
May 1, 2007-The Division sent a 3`d adequacy review letter to SCC, indicating that 3 remaining adequacy
review concerns had nofbeen fully and adequately addressed. Hand delivered responses to the remaining
concerns were received by the Division on the same date (response package dated May 1, 2007.
May 2, 2007-Division (letter to SCC stated that remaining adequacy items h,ad been fully resolved by the
response package of May 1, 2007.
May 17, 2007-SCC submitted updated Owner and Controller [nformatioi~ that had been noted to be
necessary during the original AVS review conducted by Division staff in Denver, but inadvertently had not
been forwarded to the operator by Division staff in Grand Junction. The request for this information was made
by phone when the lapse was discovered. The information submitted provided the necessary updates.
June 21, 2007-Division letter to SCC requesting various narrative clarifications and an assessment of
stability for steep rock cut slopes in the portal bench azea that would remain following final reclamation.
Juue 27, 2007-SCC submitted a letter and amended application materials in nssponse to the Division's June
211etter. ~
i
July 23, 2007-SCC submitted amended Exhibit 6C to correct a minor typographical error, and amended Tab
15 text and appendix I S-1, to provide documentation of Mesa County Planning C,iepartment's approval ofa site
plan for upgrades to certain existing facilities on the site, to support the commercial land use.
Description of the Environment
Geographic Setting
The Roadside North and South Portals Mine complex lies in the alluvial valley'of the Colorado River along
Interstate 70 (I-70) just east of the town of Palisade. The river and interstate trend northeast to southwest
through the mine area, with the North Portal facilities and mine workings located o the west and north, and the
South Portal facilities and mine workings to the east and south. Located 12 miles from Grand Junction, the
mines are situated in DeBeque Canyon in the Bookcliffs, a ridge comprised, of vari-colored shales and
sandstones trending northwest-southeast. The Bookcliffs border the Grand \!alley to the east where the
Colorado River exits the highlands ofthe cliffs and enters the valley. Mount Garfield, a prominent peak in the
Bookcliffs, lies southwesto the mine site and serves as the southwestern comer of the Piceance basin to the
Permit Revision No. 3 Permit No. C-1981-041
July 30, 2007 Page 8