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identified deficiencies in Geology, Hydrology, and Subsidence. MCC's responses to the
<br /> preliminary review were received via facsimile on June 3, 1994. The proposed decision date
<br /> was extended by MCC from June 14, 1994, to July 8, 1994. A second adequacy review letter
<br /> was sent to MCC on July 5, 1994. MCC requested another extension to the decision date to
<br /> July 22, 1994. A meeting between the Division and MCC to assist them in responding
<br /> adequately to the Division's questions was held on July 14, 1994. MCC requested another
<br /> extension for the proposed decision to August 26, 1994, and subsequently to September 16,
<br /> 1994, then September 23, 1994; October 7, 1994; and finally to October 21, 1994. Additional
<br /> review materials were received September 30, October 7, 14, and 20, 1994. A meeting was
<br /> also held on October 7, 1994. The proposed decision to approve the revision was issued on
<br /> October 21, 1994.
<br /> The Apache Rocks Permit Revision (Permit Revision No. 6) was submitted to the Division on
<br /> June 8, 1995. The application was deemed complete for the purposes of filing on June 18,
<br /> 1995. Appropriate agencies were notified of the application by letters dated June 19, 1995.
<br /> The company's newspaper publication occurred in the Delta County Independent on June 21
<br /> and 28, and July 5 and 12, 1995. Division adequacy review letters were sent to Mountain
<br /> Coal Company on June 30, 1995; August 25, 1995; September 20, 1995: October 18, 1995;
<br /> November 20, 1995; January 15, 1996; and January 26, 1996. All concerns were adequately
<br /> addressed by Mountain Coal Company. Mountain Coal Company responses and all
<br /> comments received from other agencies are available for review at the Division office. The
<br /> proposed decision was issued on January 26, 1996, with full consideration of the adequacy
<br /> and other agency responses.
<br /> On January 31, 1996, a permit renewal application was received by the Division for a
<br /> successive five year permit term. On February 1, 1996, the application was deemed
<br /> incomplete because the proof of newspaper publication was not included with the application.
<br /> On March 6, 1996 the application was deemed complete for the purposes of filing following
<br /> the receipt of an Affidavit of Publication for the public notice advertisement required by Rule
<br /> 2.08.5(2)(b)(ii). On May 10, 1996, an adequacy review letter was submitted to the Mountain
<br /> Coal Company identifying several issues to be addressed as part of the current permit renewal
<br /> process. All concerns were adequately addressed by Mountain Coal Company. The Division
<br /> renewed Mining Permit No. C-80-007 to Mountain Coal Company for the West Elk Mine on
<br /> July 26, 1996.
<br /> The Sylvester Gulch Facilities Area Permit Revision (Permit Revision No. 7) was submitted
<br /> to the Division on November 18, 1996. The application was deemed complete for the
<br /> purposes of filing on November 26, 1996. Appropriate agencies were notified of the
<br /> application by letters dated December 04, 1996. Division adequacy review letters were sent
<br /> to Mountain Coal Company on January 15, 1997, April 14, 1997, and on April 29, 1997. All
<br /> concerns were adequately addressed by Mountain Coal Company. Mountain coal company
<br /> responses and all comments received from other agencies are available for review at the
<br /> division office. The proposed decision to approve the revision was issued on April 30, 1997.
<br /> Operations at the WEM have been conducted under several different names in the past.
<br /> Before 1991, the WEM itself was known as the Mt. Gunnison No. I Mine. Since the mine
<br /> opened, operations were conducted under the following names: Anaconda Minerals Company,
<br /> ARCO Coal Company (a Division of Atlantic Richfield Company), and West Elk Coal
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