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April 15, 1994, which identified deficiencies in Geology, Hydrology, and Subsidence.
<br /> MCC's responses to the preliminary review were received via facsimile on June 3, 1994.
<br /> The proposed decision date was extended by MCC from June 14, 1994, to July 8, 1994. A
<br /> second adequacy review letter was sent to MCC on July 5, 1994. MCC requested another
<br /> extension to the decision date to July 22, 1994. A meeting between the Division and MCC
<br /> to assist them in responding adequately to the Division's questions was held on July 14,
<br /> 1994. MCC requested another extension for the proposed decision to August 26, 1994, and
<br /> subsequently to September 16, 1994, then September 23, 1994; October 7, 1994; and finally
<br /> to October 21, 1994. Additional review materials were received September 30, October 7,
<br /> 14, and 20, 1994. A meeting was also held on October 7, 1994. The proposed decision to
<br /> approve the revision was issued on October 21, 1994.
<br /> The Apache Rocks Permit Revision (Permit Revision No. 6) was submitted to the Division
<br /> on June 8, 1995. The application was deemed complete for the purposes of filing on
<br /> June 18, 1995. Appropriate agencies were notified of the application by letters dated
<br /> June 19, 1995. The company's newspaper publication occurred in the Delta County
<br /> Independent on June 21 and 28, and July 5 and 12, 1995. Division adequacy review letters
<br /> were sent to Mountain Coal Company on June 30, 1995; August 25, 1995; September 20,
<br /> 1995; October 18, 1995; November 20, 1995; January 15, 1996; and January 26, 1996. All
<br /> concerns were adequately addressed by Mountain Coal Company. Mountain Coal Company
<br /> responses and all comments received from other agencies are available for review at the
<br /> Division office. The proposed decision was issued on January 26, 1996, with full
<br /> consideration of the adequacy and other agency responses.
<br /> On January 31, 1996, a permit renewal application was received by the Division for a
<br /> successive five year permit term. On February 1, 1996, the application was deemed
<br /> incomplete because the proof of newspaper publication was not included with the application.
<br /> On March 6, 1996 the application was deemed complete for the purposes of filing following
<br /> the receipt of an Affidavit of Publication for the public notice advertisement required by Rule
<br /> 2.08.5(2)(b)(ii). On May 10, 1996, an adequacy review letter was submitted to the
<br /> Mountain Coal Company identifying several issues to be addressed as part of the current
<br /> permit renewal process.
<br /> Operations at the WEM have been conducted under several different names in the past.
<br /> Before 1991, the WEM itself was known as the Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Mine. Since the mine
<br /> opened, operations were conducted under the following names: Anaconda Minerals
<br /> Company, ARCO Coal Company (a Division of Atlantic Richfield Company), and West Elk
<br /> Coal Company, Inc. The most recent name change from West Elk Coal Company, Inc., Mt.
<br /> Gunnison No. 1 Mine, to Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine, was processed by the
<br /> Division as a Succession of Operator. Both companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the
<br /> Atlantic Richfield Company. The Division issued a proposed decision to approve the name
<br /> change pursuant to Rule 2.08.6(4) on December 20, 1991. The decision was final following
<br /> the public comment period, on January 20, 1992.
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