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This document presents the results of the Division's Midterm Review of the <br />Somerset Mining Company, Somerset and Sanborn Creek Mine permit. This Midterm <br />Review was conducted to fulfill the requirements of Rules 2.08.3, 2.06.2(10), <br />2.06.3(4), 2.06.7(5) and 3.02.2(4). <br />Rule 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued, <br />prior to its Midterm (2 1/2 years). Based on this review, Rule 2.08.3(3) <br />states that for good cause shown, the Division may require reasonable <br />revisions or modifications of the permit provisions to ensure compliance with <br />the Act and Regulations. <br />Rules 2.06.2, 2.06.3, 2.06.5 and 2.06.7 require that experimental practices, <br />mountaintop removal variances, variances from approximate original contour <br />(AOC) and variances from contemporaneous reclamation, respectively, be <br />reviewed by the Division where applicable during the Midterm Review. <br />Rule 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of the bond and <br />the terms of acceptance of the bond every 2 1/2 years. <br />This Midterm Review consisted of a detailed review of the Somerset and Sanborn <br />Creek Mine permit application and Findings Document to identify any items that <br />may have been overlooked during the initial review. The Division also <br />reviewed all subsequent revisions and stipulation responses to ensure that all <br />permit commitments and conditions were being followed. Hydrologic monitoring <br />data were reviewed in conjunction with the review of the application to assess <br />the adequacy of the monitoring plan and discussion of hydrologic impacts. <br />Problems and observations from past inspection reports were also considered. <br />SECTION I - HI570RY <br />The Review Process <br />The Somerset Mine, operated by Somerset Mining Company, is located in Delta <br />and Gunnison Counties and is adjacent to the town of Somerset on State <br />Highway 133. The Sanborn Creek addition to the mine is located approximately <br />one mile east of the town of Somerset. The permit area is approximately 3,737 <br />acres and the surface disturbance comprises approximately 60 acres. <br />The original permit under the Colorado Permanent Regulatory Program was issued <br />to U.S. Steel Mining Company, Inc. on October 11, 1983. Kaiser Coal <br />Corporation acted as operator on the property from 1986 to 1990. On <br />January 3, 1990, the Division approved the transfer of Permit No. C-81-022 <br />from U.S. Steel Mining Company to Somerset Mining Company. <br />Somerset Mining Company then completed the permit renewal for another <br />five-year permit term. The present permit period initiated on October 11, <br />1988 and expires on October 11, 1993. Upon finalization of the purchase of <br />the mine and transfer and renewal of the permit, Somerset Mining Company <br />proposed opening a new set of mine portals to access the B and C coal seams. <br />This proposal was presented in the form of Permit Revision Number One (PR-O1). <br />Permit Revision Number One was submitted to the Division on June 4, 1990. The <br />application was deemed incomplete on June 14, 1990. With the submittal of <br />