GENERAL55604

• Permit No: C1981029
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 8/28/1986
• Doc Name: Findings of the Final Decision of the MLRD for SL1
• From: Phase I on the Haul Road
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Summary of the Review
Process Leading to the
Board's Final Decision
Sun Coal Company applied for partial bond release under the Colorado Surface
Coal Mining and Reclamation Act for reclamation work performed at the Meadows
No. 1 Mine. The mine is located approximately five miles southwest of f4ilner,
in Routt County, Colorado. The permit area is located in portions of Sections
11, 14, 23, 24, and 26, T6N, R87W of the 6th P.M.. The operator requested
that approximately 90 percent (5873,829.00) of the bond portion applicable to
the haul road be released.
The Meadows No. 1 Mine has been in existence since April, 1977. The mine
suspended operations in February of 1981. The mine received a permit
(C-029-81) from the Division on August 9, 1983 for reclamation only.
Backfilling and grading of the pit area began in Spring of 1984. Topsoiling
and seeding operations were completed in Fall of 1984. Completion of the haul
road decommission plan, which was approved as a technical revision (July,
1984), was accomplished in Spring of 1985.
On July 11, 1985 the Division received a request from Sun Coal company for
partial bond release on the haul road. The submittal requested that
90.6 percent of the total bond be released for implementation of the haul road
decommission plan. Sun Coal proposed that only sufficient money for road
maintenance be retained.
On July 24, 1985 a site inspection was held in accordance with
Rule 3.03.2(2). Present were representatives of the Division, Sun Coal, and
the landowner.
On August 22, 1985 a request for an informal conference was submitted on
behalf of the landowner, in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(3). The request cited
various problems with the haul road and backfilled area.
A second site inspection was held on September 10, 1985 in compliance with
Rule 2.07.3(6)(b)(iii). Representatives of the Division, Sun Coal, and the
landowner were present. The twelve issues included in the request for formal
conference, by the landowner, were specifically investigated.
On September 20, 1985 the informal conference was held in accordance with
Rule 3.03.2(4). Present at the meeting were representatives of the Division,
Sun Coal, and the landowner. Outstanding issues were discussed, including
those raised in the landowner's request for conference letter of
August 22, 1985. Upon the agreement of all parties, the conference was
officially left open until October 18, 1985 to allow Sun Coal Company to
submit additional technical information. This was confirmed in writing in a
Division letter dated September 25, 1985.
On September 25, 1985 the Division received a letter from Sun Coal requesting
written clarification of what further information was required by the Division.