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resulted in several requests for a mine site visit and informal conference, which were held on
<br /> April 30, 1981 and May 12, 1981, respectively. The Division began preparation of its written
<br /> findings soon after the conference and published its proposed decision on June 22, 1981. The
<br /> Division's decision was to approve the West Elk permit application with several stipulations.
<br /> The five-year permit was issued on July 31, 1981, pursuant to the Colorado Surface Coal
<br /> Mining Reclamation Act, CRS 34-33-101 et seq. Construction of the West Elk Mine began in
<br /> 1981. The mine began producing coal from the F Seam in January 1982. The expiration of
<br /> this permit was set at July 31, 1986. On January 17, 1986, a complete renewal application
<br /> was received. This application was subsequently reviewed and the Division issued a proposed
<br /> decision to approve the renewal application with stipulations. Following the public comment
<br /> period, the permit was renewed on May 19, 1987. The permit was to expire on August 1,
<br /> 1991. The Division received MCC's complete renewal application on January 30, 1991
<br /> thereby ensuring the operator's right to successive renewal pursuant to 2.08.5(3))f). The
<br /> Division issued a proposed decision to approve the renewal application with stipulations, and
<br /> following the public comment period, the permit was renewed on January 29, 1993, and will
<br /> expire on August 1, 1996.
<br /> The Division received an application for a permit revision (Jumbo Mountain; Permit Revision
<br /> No. 5) on February 4, 1994, which was subsequently deemed complete on February 14, 1994.
<br /> The Division issued the first preliminary adequacy review letter on April 15, 1994, which
<br /> 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 comments
<br /> received from other agencies are available for review at the Division office. The proposed
<br /> decision was issued on January 26, 1996, with full consideration of the adequacy and other
<br /> agency responses.
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