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~DepartmeF
<br />'re . 1313 Shen
<br />.. Denver, C~
<br />Phone: (30
<br />FAX: (303)
<br />TO:
<br />FROM:
<br />RE:
<br />
<br />June 29, 2000
<br />David Hetry s,.~
<br />Dan Mathews ~' I
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<br />Roadside Mine Reclamation Status and Potential Environmental and Safety Hazards
<br />Permit No. C-81-041, Powderhom Coal Company
<br />The following information is provided in response to the A.G's request you relayed, pursuant to the fact
<br />that Quaker Coal Company (parent company of Powderhom Coal Company), has apparently filed for
<br />Uanltruptcy.
<br />O~emtional Status. and Reclamation Plan Summary
<br />Gmg E. Walther
<br />Executive Director
<br />Michael 6. Long
<br />Division Director
<br />The operational status is essentially as described in the February 10, 2000, Pemut Renewal Findings
<br />Document, with the exception Wat certain reclamation activity has been performed Reclamation
<br />performed since War time includes sealing of the North Portals with dirt fill, sealing of the South Portals
<br />with concrete seals (40 feet inby the,portal openings), reclamation of the South Fan site including slnrctural
<br />demolition, shaft sealing and rough grading and reclamation of the 2-Wes[ Portals site •incl ding portal
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<br />sealing and rough grading. In addition, the shop building at the North PoAal area has been 'smantled and
<br />...
<br />removed, and a segment ofthe overland conveyor stroctrrre between the transfer striictuie and the county
<br />road north of the river has been removed. Overall, environmental conditions at the site at the time of my
<br />most recent complete inspection (June 1 and 2, 2000) were as good as they have ever been. Drainage
<br />control structrres were all functional and in good wndition All sediment ponds have excess capacity.
<br />Coal retnse area working benches at CRDA-1 and CRDA-2 had been recently graded and compacted, with
<br />terrace drains, perimeter ditches, and upland diversions well maintained.
<br />A breakdown of facility areas and disturbance acreages is provided in Table 12-1, of Volume 5 of the
<br />permit application (page land 2 amended 3/13/00, page 3 amended 3/29/00). Major facilities are:
<br />Roadside South Ivfine facilities (25.9 acres) located at the I-70 Cameo exit, on the north side of I-70, which
<br />parallels We Colorado River through Debeque Canyon. Includes preparation plant facilities,
<br />o&ce/warehotrse, sealed portals, and the old Roadside RefiLSe Pile, which has been temporarily stabilized
<br />sknre the early 1980's.
<br />Roadside North Portal and Surface Facilities (28.3 acres) located approximately 'h mile north of the river at
<br />the Cameo exit, near the mouth of Coal Canyon. Iarge portal decline and sealed portals, coal handling
<br />facilities, coal stockpile area, parking facilities; storage yard, soil riockpiles, sediment ponds and minewater
<br />treatment pond, etc.
<br />Other major facilities include two recently active, partially reclaimed refuse disposal areas in Coal Canyon
<br />(CRDA-1 and CRDA-2), located to the northwest of the North Portal facilities, a Unit Train Loadout
<br />facility and rail spur located north of tire river, a mile or so northeast of the Nosh Portal area, and the
<br />overland coal conveyor, which runs from the South Portal area to the rail loadout, and includes a tunnel
<br />segment beneath I-70 and an enclosed, suspended segmtmt over the Colorado River. The North Decline
<br />(18.4 acres), is a former portal location located to the southeast of k-70 appproximately I mile northeast of
<br />the South Portals area. It was regraded and revegeUted in the early 1990's. Remaining structures are
<br />limited to sediment poems and related ditches and berms. Ute Water Company is in process of replacing a
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