GENERAL54908

• Permit No: C1981023
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 2/5/1991
• Doc Name: Midterm Review Findings Document
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

On July 10, 1987, the permittee submitted an application for renewal of permit
C-81-023. After a review and subsequent submittal of Permit Revision No. 3,
the Division issued a proposed decision to approve the revision and to renew
Permit C-81-023 on February 9, 1988,
The mine is currently operating under Permit No. C-81-023. The Chimney Rock
Coal Mine is a surface mining operation. Both federal and private surface and
minerals are included in the permit area. The coal in the Federal Lease Area
is under lease by the permittee from the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau
of Land Management. The owner of record for the land surface in the Federal
Lease Area is the U.S. Forest Service.
In September, 1985, the Chimney Rock Mine ceased its active coal mining and
went into temporary cessation. During the next four years Kaiser Steel
Corporation was reorganized and emerged as Kaiser Steel Resources. Since the
mine had virtually exhausted its coal resources and no other coal leases were
obtained active coal mining operations were terminated. In February 1990,
Chimney Rock Mine came out of temporary cessation and began, and is currently
in, the final reclamation phase.
Of the 187.5 acres currently permitted, approximately 62 acres have been mined
and reclaimed and approximately 48 acres have been backfilled and regraded.
Tops oiling and revegatating for the final 48 acres is scheduled for fall of
1991 ,
In accordance with the landowner's request, the permittee is returning the
eastern mesatop to a dryland pasture and the Barren Ridge area to range land
and irrigated pasture. The approved seed mixes contain a mix of species that
are drought-resistant and should establish a self-sustaining stand of
vegetation. The outslopes on the East Pit Area and 1/2 of the Barren Ridge
Area will be returned to a rangeland land use during reclamation.
Revegetation will reduce erosion and provide additional forage for livestock
and wildlife. The Federal Lease Area will be reclaimed for wildlife use. The
seed mix for this area contains a diverse mixture of shrubs and fortis in
addition to various grass species.
The landowner of the private surface areas has requested that, after mining,
the following structures remain:
1. New Shop Building
2. Old Shop Building
3. Office Trailer
4. Parts Trailer
5 Concrete Pad
6. Truck Turnaround
7. Access Road to the East Fill Area
8. Access Road to the Stollsteimer Creek
All other structures will be removed and the area returned to a stable,
productive state.
On January 7, 1991, Kaiser Steel Resources, Inc. submitted a request for
Permit Revision 04. It is their intent that this be a stand alone Reclamation
Only Permit that will replace the original permit and permit revisions Ol, 02
and 03. The submission of Permit Revision 04 is pending the receipt of this
midterm review.
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