GENERAL51991

• Permit No: C1989074
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 2/19/1993
• Doc Name: Midterm Review Findings Document
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

MIDTERM REVIEW
Rimrock Strip Mine <C-89-074)
This document presents the results of the Division's Midterm Review of Rimrock
Coal Company's Rimrock Strip Mine. This Midterm Review was conducted to
fulfill the requirements of Rules 2.08.3, 2.06.2(10), 2.06.3(4), 2.06.5(3),
2.06.7(5) and 3.02.2(4).
Rule 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued,
prior to its midterm (2 1/2 years). The midterm was due February 23, 1993.
Based on this review, for good cause shown, the Division may require
reasonable revisions or modifications of the permit provisions to ensure
compliance with the Act and Regulations.
Rules 2.06.2, 2.06.3, 2.06.5 and 2.06.7 require that experimental practices,
mountaintop removal variances, variances from approximate original contour
(AOC), and variances from contemporaneous reclamation, respectively, be
reviewed by the Division where applicable during the midterm review. The
Rimrock Strip Mine does not have any experimental practices or any variances
from mountaintop removal, AOC, or from contemporaneous reclamation.
Rule 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of the bond and
the terms of acceptance of the bond every 2 1/2 years.
This midterm review consisted of a detailed review of the Rimrock Strip Mine
permit application and findings document to identify any items that may have
been overlooked during the initial review. The Division also reviewed all
subsequent revisions and stipulation responses to ensure that all permit
commitments and conditions were being followed. Hydrologic monitoring data
was reviewed in conjunction with the review of the application to assess the
adequacy of the monitoring plan and discussion of hydrologic impacts.
Problems and observations from past inspection reports were also considered.
Section I - History
The Rimrock Coal Company applied for a permit under the Colorado Surface Coal
Mining Reclamation Act (C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seg.) to mine coal at the Rimrock
Mine. The mine is located approximately three miles southeast of Trinidad,
Colorado, on County Road 73.4 near the abandoned town site of Engleville in
Section 29, Township 33 South, Range 63 West of the 6th Principal Meridian.
The mine site is located on the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute Quadrangle
map titled "Trinidad East."
The Rimrock Mine application was submitted to the Division on February 16, 1989
and deemed complete on February 26, 1989. A joint preliminary adequacy letter
conveying concerns identified by the Colorado Division of Mines and the Mined
Land Reclamation Division was sent to Rimrock Coal Company on April 25, 1989.
A second letter addressing significant hydrologic concerns was sent to the
applicant on June 9, 1989. On October 24, 1989, Rimrock Coal Company sent a
partial response to the initial adequacy issues. On February 1, 1990,
additional responses to the initial adequacy issues were received by the