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April 19, 1999—DMG requested certain documentation and updates regarding PCC officers and <br /> directors, to allow for acceptance of the previously submitted bond rider. <br /> August 27, 1999—Documentation requested in the April 19, 1999 letter was received by DMG. <br /> November 3, 1999—DMG received PCC responses to adequacy review letter of April 14, 1999. <br /> December 3, 1999—DMG sent a third adequacy review letter to PCC. Remaining adequacy items <br /> included clarification of the status of proposed refuse area CRDA-3 and associated future proposed <br /> disturbances; clarification of revegetation success comparisons; and specific timeframe for development <br /> of a revised plan.for South Portals mine sealing and permanent minewater discharge. <br /> January 12,2000—DMG sent a fourth adequacy review letter to PCC,which requested clarification <br /> of various additional discrepancies and inconsistencies identified during preparation of the renewal <br /> findings document. <br /> January 24,2000—DMG received PCC responses to adequacy review letters of December 3, 1999,and <br /> January 12,2000. <br /> January 27, 2000—DMG sent a fifth adequacy review letter, requesting additional clarification <br /> regarding two items addressed in the operator's letter of January 24. <br /> February 9,2000—DMG received PCC responses to the adequacy review letter of January 27. <br /> Description of the Environment <br /> Geographic Setting <br /> The Roadside North and South Portals Mine complex lies in the alluvial valley of the Colorado River along <br /> Interstate 70 (1-70)just east of the town of Palisade. The river and interstate trend northeast to southwest <br /> through the mine area, with the North Portal facilities and mine workings located to the west and north, and <br /> the South Portal facilities and mine workings to the east and south. Located 12 miles from Grand Junction, <br /> the mines are situated in DeBeque Canyon in the Bookcliffs, a ridge comprised of vari-colored shales and <br /> sandstones trending northwest-southeast. The Bookcliffs border the Grand Valley to the east where the <br /> Colorado River exits the highlands of the cliffs and enters the valley. Mount Garfield, a prominent peak in <br /> the Bookcliffs, lies southwest of the mine site and serves as the southwestern comer of the Piceance basin to <br /> the north. The mines can be located on the USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle maps labeled "Cameo" and <br /> "Palisade." <br /> The Bookcliffs coal field is characterized by a monoclinal structure with the strata dipping gently to the <br /> northeast. Exhibits 13 and 14 of the permit application illustrate the surface geology and geologic structure <br /> of the permit area. The mine's surface facilities are located on and adjacent to the alluvial valley floor of the <br /> Colorado River. The river alluvium ranges from a clayey to silty sand and contains scattered gravel and <br /> cobble-sized fragments. The depth of the alluvium ranges from nine to sixty feet beneath the surface disturbed <br /> areas. <br /> 12 <br />