GENERAL52614

• Permit No: C1981044
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 4/24/1987
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision & Findings of Compliance for PR1
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

considers this potential prime farmland an industrial site since the true
prime farmland characteristics have been permanently disrupted by development
prior to enactment of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. This
information is found in a letter from the S.C.S. dated February 2, 1982.
The Division finds the Eagle Mines No. 5, 5A and 6 in compliance with Rule
2.07.6(2)(k) with respect to prime farmlands.
XIV. Operations Description (2.05.2, 2.05.3(1), 2.05.3(2), 4.01) -
The general description of the mining operations and facilities for this
five-year permit term has been reviewed by the Division for compliance with
the Regulations. Information describing the operation may be found in Volume
I, Section 2.05.
The applicant proposes to mine coal at a maximum production rate of 4.0
million tons per year, of which up to 2.5 million tons could be from Eagle
Mine No. 5 and 4.0 million tons could be from Eagle Mine No, 6, As discussed
in Section 2.05 of the amended permit application, only two seams are proposed
to be mined during this five-year permit term, the E and the F seams.
In a previously amended permit application, Empire Energy Corporation proposed
only partial extraction for the Eagle No. 9 mine (submitted, December, 1982).
However, because of concerns with the discussion of probable hydrologic
consequences and the potential effects of subsidence on renewable resource
lands in the Big Bottom area, the Division could not recommend approval, even
for a limited extraction plan. Some of these problems were later resolved and
limited mining was approved in the revised findings document of April 9,
1984. Empire Energy Corporation subsequently ceased mining in the Eagle No. 9
Mine {P Seam), as of March, 1985. Plans for reclamation of the surface
disturbances attendant to the Eagle No. 9 are included within Section 2.05.4
of this amended permit application.
The applicant states, on page 2.05.3-8 of the amended application, that it may
be necessary to daylight ventilation portals within the Eagle Mines. The
applicant presents a "general plan" stating the techniques it proposes to
employ, if such an operation is undertaken. The application specifically
states, on page 2.05.3-8 of the amended application:
"The daylighting procedure described above is a general plan
and Empire will submit a minor revision to the Division
prior to undertaking any daylighting. The minor revision:
request will be submitted when the mining unit is within,100
feet of daylighting."
The Division deems it necessary, in order to avoid possible future confusion,
to inform the applicant that the Division cannot determine the:-significance of
such an operation as a minor revision prior to its submittal, because the
nature of the environmental and mine plan impacts are dependent upon
site-specific elements of the specific proposed revision. The operator shall
not proceed closer than 100' to the surface until a revision approval has been
granted by the Division.
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