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Introduction <br /> This document is the decision package prepared by the Colorado Division of Minerals and <br /> Geology (Division) for the West Elk Mine Permit Renewal No. 4. This document includes: <br /> 1) the proposed decision to approve the permit renewal application; 2) a summary which <br /> includes a history of the review of the permit application, a description of the environment <br /> affected by the 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 Colorado Surface Coal <br /> Mining Reclamation Act. Detailed information concerning the findings of compliance can be <br /> found in the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. <br /> The Division received an application for a permit renewal. The application was submitted by <br /> Mountain Coal Company (MCC), and the mine will be operated by Mountain Coal Company. <br /> The permit area encompasses approximately 9583 acres on federal and private lands within <br /> Gunnison and Delta Counties, Colorado. The legal description of the lands included within the <br /> permit area include all or portions of: Sections 9, 10. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 20, <br /> 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35, and 36, Township 13 South, Range 90 West of <br /> the 6th P.M., and Sections 23, 24. 25 and 26, Township 13 South, Range 91 West of the 6th <br /> P.M. The location of the above lands can be found on the USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle maps <br /> of Bowie and Somerset. A map showing the general location of the West Elk Mine is <br /> presented in Figure 1 of this document. <br /> Proposed Decision <br /> The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology proposes to approve an application for a <br /> permit renewal (Permit Renewal No. 4) to a valid existing permit. This decision is based on a <br /> finding that the operations will comply with all requirements of the Colorado State Program as <br /> found in the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq., and <br /> the Regulations 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 proposed decision, then <br /> this decision becomes final. Upon submittal of acceptable surety by the applicant, the permit <br /> will be issued. The permit application, all supporting documentation and any stipulations or <br /> conditions will become a binding part of the permit. <br /> A current list of outstanding stipulations is included below. These stipulations are conditions <br /> of the permit prior to permit renewal 04. <br /> Stipulation No. 3 <br /> THE OPERATOR SHALL, UPON CLOSURE, INSTALL WATER-TIGHT SEALS WITHIN THE MINE <br /> TO PREVENT GRAVITY DISCHARGE. THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE WAIVED UPON THE <br /> 3 <br />