GENERAL49258

• Permit No: C1981029
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 8/8/1986
• Doc Name: MEADOWS 1 BOND REQUIREMENTS HAUL ROAD AND FACILITIES AREA FN C-81-029
• From: MLRD
• To: SUN COAL CO
• Permit Index Doc Type: GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Devitl N. GeKhea E.acwns Director
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION
DAVIOC. $HELTOH, Dlnctor
Richartl D. Lamm
Governor
August 8, 1986
Mr. Bryan Archer
Sun Coal Company
5440 Ward Road. Suite 210-7
Arvada, Colorado 80002
RE: Meadows No. 1 Bond Requirements, Haul Road and Faci11t1es Area,
File No. C-81-029
Dear Mr. Archer:
In preparation for the August, 1986 Board hearing on bond release for the
Meadows No. 1 Mine haul road, the Division has prepared the following bond
estimate and findings for the haul road and facilities area. Bonding issues
for the pit area pursuant to Sun Coal Company's bond release request were
decided at the May, 1986 Board hearing.
Throughout the bond release procedure, the Division has been concerned with
three issues concerning the haul road. These are: stability, drainage
control and erosion, and post mining land use.
In response to these concerns, Sun Coal submitted a report by Intrasearch in
May of 1986 which indicated that the haul road had not impacted historic slide
bodies and was stable. Some small surficial slides were identified which the
Division required Sun Coal to repair. The operator submitted a repair plan
prepared by ACZ, Inc. in June of 1986. This plan was approved by the Division
and is currently being implemented. With the commission of these two studies
and completion of the required repair work, the Division finds that Sun Coal
has sufficiently addressed the outstanding stability issues. Therefore, bond
money need not be retained to mitigate geotechnical impacts related to the
haul road.
The Division remains concerned, however, with respect to the issues of erosion
and post-mining land use. It has not been demonstrated conclusively at this
time that the mining operation has controlled, managed and not contributed to
excessive erosion on the Eilts Ranch. Asa result, the operator may be
required to both repair existing gullies, and modify the road drainage plan to
mitigate future damage. These modifications may include regrading of the road
surface, construction of additional ponds and/or ditches, etc.
Also, it has not been demonstrated conclusively that the road meets the
approved post mining land use (PMLU). Specifically, it has not been
demonstrated that it provides year-round access to the Eilts oil well.
Resolution of this issue may require mitigation which could include regrading
of the road surface and removal of water bars from the Yampa Bridge to the
Eilts well, resurfacing of this portion of the road, and installation of
alternative drainage control. The plan may also include modification of road
berths to facilitate snow plowing by the landowner.
423 Centennial Building, 137 3 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. [phone]