GENERAL48047 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3.2 Description of the Environment 3.2.1 Maps A Permit Area Map is located in the Permit as Appendix A-1 (Permit Rev OO.dwg, 1/2001). The permit area is delineated, and major drainages, divides, and basins are depicted on the Surface and Mineral Ownership Map 2.03.4 (10/2000) (Appendix A-2) and Adjacent Property Owners Maps (Revised 4/00) (Appendix A-3) [overprint of blue-line extracts of United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute Topographic Map Quadrangles Klug Ranch and Tampa (quadrangles on file in the reference map files)]. 3.2.2 General, Disturbed and Affected Area The Keenesburg Mine is located approximately 4.5 miles north of Keenesburg, Colorado. The legal description of the permit azea is presented under pazagraph 1.1 above. Of the 612.5 (current) acres in the Permit area, 455.8 acres were disturbed [2005 Annual Reclamation Report]. [The Keenesburg Mine was a surface mine, thus Affected acreage equals Disturbed acreage at 455.8 acres.] Of the 455.8 disturbed acres, 230 acres have been reclaimed and revegetated (2005 ARR). In its 1996 Bond Release Application, CEC applied for Phase I and II release of 111.5 acres of 179.6 reported as vegetated. SL2 approved September 1, 2005, approved phase I bond release (backfilling, grading, topsoiling, and drainage re-establishment) on 51.76 acres. SL3 approved April 18, 2006, approved phase II bond release on 53.9 acres of land reclaimed between 1997 and 2003. 3.2.3 Resource to be Mined There is no coal extraction activity at the site and none is anticipated [PAP, Section 2.03.8, page 29, 5/96]. The open pits aze being backfilled with fly ash imported from the Trigen-Colorado L.L.L.P. power plant in Golden, Colorado and reclaimed in accordance with the reclamation plan described in the Permit. During active surface coal extraction, the number 7 seam of the Lazamie formation was mined [Application, Section 2.04.5, paza 3, page 41]. 3.2.4 Geology, Soils and Topography (Application, Section 2.04.5, page 39 through 2.04.6 page 47, 5/96) The permit azea is located on level to gently rolling topography consisting of fine sand, which is wind-deposited material overlying weathered residual shale. The sand varies in depth from about 5 feet to 20 feet, is highly to moderately permeable, and is highly susceptible to wind erosion. The flat-lying number 7 coal seam is overlain by 60-180 feet of overburden consisting of yellow- brown and gray to blue gray soft cazbonaceous shale and clay interbedded with sand and shaley sand. At the base of the Laramie formation is the Fox Hills member, across-bedded gray to buff sandstone, which is slightly to well cemented. Permit Renewa105 Findings October 30, 2006 Page 9 of 25 Pages