Laserfiche WebLink
and their associated surface facilities, and to begin mining of private coal at [his new mine. The <br />construction proposed in TR-32 would increase the disturbed area by 23.7 acres. The proposed <br />mine location is to the north of the main Sanbom Creek Mine facilities, along the west side of <br />Elk Creek. TR-32 was approved in July of 2000. <br />Tn TR-32, Oxbow Mining proposed to construct two temporary fills over Elk Creek. Fill material <br />will be placed within the existing channel of Elk Creek. The creek will be diverted through two <br />nine-foot diameter culverts that will be buried by the two fills. Oxbow Mining has submitted a <br />geotechnical stability analysis that demonstrates that the two fills in Elk Creek will be stable. For <br />final reclamation of the Elk Creek Mine facilities, the two nine-foot culverts will be removed and <br />the Elk Creek channel will be reconstructed in compliance with Rule 4.05.4. <br />These activities that were proposed in TR-32 required specific authorization by the Division in <br />accordance with Rule 4.05.4(4), Stream Channel Diversions (Relocation of Streams) and Stream <br />Channel Reconstruction, and Rule 4.05.18, Stream Buffer Zones. Therefore, the Division made <br />the findings that the original stream channel will be reconstructed, that the water quantity and <br />quality from the stream section within 100 feet of the surface coal mining operations will not be <br />adversely affected during and after mining, and that appropriate riparian vegetation will be <br />reestablished. <br />It is anticipated that active mining operations will continue for at least 21 years. Reclamation <br />operations will begin immediately following the decision to close the mine. <br />As the mine has been in operation since 1902, much of the disturbed area associated with the <br />mine was affected prior to the effective date of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act <br />of 1977 and the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. Baseline environmental factors <br />were not measured, and no topsoil was salvaged prior to previous disturbance. Disturbances <br />which have been conducted since the effective date of the Act have been permitted and <br />conducted in compliance with the Act and Regulations. These activities include the Hubbard <br />Creek Ventilation Fan No. 2 facility, the 3 Dip Methane Degas Wellfield, and the Sanborn Creek <br />Tract. All other areas of disturbance at the mine occurred prior to the effective date of the Act, <br />although the Elk Creek facilities are currently functional as the Sanborn Creek Tract support <br />facilities. <br />All surfaces will be returned to the approximate original contour (AOC) with two exceptions. <br />The Bear Creek and Hubbard Creek ventilation facilities will be backfilled only to the extent <br />practical, given [he fact that these small facilities areas are pre-existing and cut into steep slopes. <br />A variance from AOC has been granted in accordance with the backfilling and grading <br />provisions of the Regulations (see Section VII of this document). Permanent waste piles will be <br />blended into the surrounding topography. The main mine access road will be left in place <br />following mining in order to provide access to the Somerset Cemetery and Elk Creek. The <br />powerline access road and powerline corridor will be reclaimed. <br />Following grading, all pre-law disturbed areas in [he Elk Creek yard will have surface material <br />