1997-05-05_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007

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Company, Inc. The most recent name change from West Elk Coal Company, Inc., Mt. Gunnison No. I Mine, to Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine, was processed by the Division as a Succession of Operator. Both companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Atlantic Richfield Company. The Division issued a proposed decision to approve the name change pursuant to Rule 2.08.6(4) on December 20, 1991. The decision was final following the public comment period, on January 20, 1992. Description of the Environment Site Description and Land Use - Rule 2.04.3 The West Elk Mine (WEM) is located approximately one mile east of the town of Somerset on Colorado State Highway No. 133. The western permit boundary extends to the outer slopes of Jumbo Mountain. The eastern permit boundary is generally located in the Sylvester Gulch, Box Canyon and Deep Creek watersheds. The northern extremity of the permit area is bounded by the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The southern boundary of the permit area approaches Minnesota Reservoir. The Somerset and Bear Mines are located just northwest of the mine facilities. The general area in which the mine is located is along the western flank of the West Elk Mountains within the drainage basin of the North Fork of the Gunnison River and is characterized by a semi-arid environment of steeply sloping mountains covered primarily with tall shrub vegetation, particularly Gambel oak and Saskatoon serviceberry. The area is currently used for grazing domestic livestock (cattle and sheep) and wildlife (deer and elk). Recreational activities such as big game hunting also occur here. Slopes range from 0 to 60 percent on the permit area, and elevations range from 5,900 feet at Somerset in the valley of the North Fork, to about 8,000 feet in the extreme southeast comer of the permit area. The steep slopes of the stream valleys and the instability of the rock strata in the North Fork drainage basin have contributed to numerous landslides, mud flows and rock falls. These mass wasting features have been mapped by W.R. Junge of the Colorado Geological Survey and published as an open file report, entitled "Geologic Hazards, North Fork Gunnison River Valley, Delta and Gunnison Counties, Colorado." The primary land uses within the permit area are characterized as rangeland and woodland supporting big game (deer and elk) and livestock (cattle and sheep). Portions of the lease area are within the boundaries of Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Cultural and Historic Resources - Rule 2.04.4 and 2.05.6(4) Cultural and historic resources are discussed in Section 2.04.4 of the permit document. Records from the Historic Buildings and Sites file of the Colorado Historical Society and the Archaeological Survey file of the Office of the State Archaeologist were reviewed for pre- viously recorded sites. No evidence was found indicating the existence of known sites in the vicinity of the mine. An archaeological reconnaissance was also conducted. Field studies, laboratory operations, and report preparation were completed by an archaeological team from 6