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<br />Midterm Review <br />Yoast Mine <br />This document presents the results of the midterm review of Seneca Coal Company's Yoast <br />Mine, conducted by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (referred to as [he Division), <br />This review was conducted to fulfill the requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining <br />Reclamation Act, and Rules 2.08.3, 2.06.2(9), 2.06.3(4), 2.06.5(3), 2.06.7(5) and 3.02.2(4) of the <br />Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd for Coal Mining, <br />promulgated to supplement the Act. <br />Rule 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued prior to its midterm <br />(2 %x years). Based on this review, for good cause shown, the Division may require reasonable <br />revision to, or modifications of, the permit provisions to ensure compliance with the Act and <br />Regulations. <br />Rules 2.06.2, 2.06.3, 2.06.5, and 2.06.7 require that during the midterm review where applicable <br />experimental practices, mountaintop removal variances, variances from approximate original <br />contour (aoc), and vaziances from contemporaneous reclamation, respectively, be reviewed by <br />the Division. The Yoast Mine does not conduct experimental practices, nor have variances been <br />granted for mountaintop removal or approximate original contour. The permit states that the <br />operator will apply for a variance for the 180-day contemporaneous reclamation requirment if <br />needed. <br />Rule 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of performance bond liability and the <br />terms of acceptance of the bond every 2 %x years. <br />This midterm review consisted of a detailed review of the Yoast Mine permit application and <br />previous Division findings of compliance to identify any items that may have been overlooked <br />during the initial review. The Division also reviewed all subsequent revisions and responses to <br />ensure that all permit commitments and conditions were being followed. Hydrologic monitoring <br />data were reviewed in conjunction with the review of the application to assess the adequacy of <br />the monitoring plan and discussion of predicted hydrologic impacts. Problems and observations <br />from past Division inspection reports were also considered. <br />Section I -History <br />The Yoast Mine is a surface coal mining operation located in Routt County, approximately seven <br />miles SSE of the town of Hayden. The mine is one of three surface mines operated by Seneca <br />Coal Company, with Yoast situated aerially between the Seneca II and Seneca II West mines. <br />The Yoast Mine comprises 2253.3 permitted acres, consisting of a narrow corridor for the haul <br />road which runs approximately five miles south from Routt County Road 27 to the main body of <br />the mine. <br />