PERMFILE103730

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 12/2/2004
• Doc Name: 2.05.5 Post-Mining Land Uses
• Type & Sequence: PR10
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

West Elk Mine
mining influence) of un-mined longwall panels El and E2 S'/:, Sec 29 and NW'/4, Sec 33,
T 13 S, R 90 ~t~. The Dry Fork road is located 400 to 500 feet south of nearest area
boundary.
4. A steep to moderately steep slope containing eight separate rockfall areas, located north
and south of ILry Fork and its tributaries. The estimated rockfall potential is low to
moderate. The rockfall areas are located above longwall panels El through E4 (Sec 33,
Sec 34, and NE Y: Sec 35, T 13 S, R 90 W).
5. The area is located in the southwestern part of the South of Divide mining area east of
the main fork of Minnesota Creek. The northeastern part of this area, which bas an
estimated moderate to high rockfall potential, is within the area of mining influence of
the un-mined longwall panels E8 and E9 (W'/: and S'/:, Sec 5, T 14 S, R 90 W).
6. This area contains six rockfall areas that have locally steep ridges. The area is located
near the headvvaters of Deer Creek, Poison Creek, Lick Creek, and a tributary of Dry
Fork. The areas, which have an estimated low to moderate rockfall potential, are
located above, or partly within, the area of mining influence of un-mined longwall
panels ES through E8 (located in parts of Sections 3, 4, 9, and 10, Township 14 South,
Range 90 West).
7. This area contains 3 rockfall areas that have an estimated low to high rockfall potential.
It is located in the Lick Creek area south of any currently planned mining (located in
parts of Sections 8, 9, and 16, Township 14 South, Range 90 West).
O f the seven areas; listed above, six occur near local drill roads or agricultural access roads,
which have only local, limited traffic. Any rocks that may fall in these areas could be
readily removed lbefore local traffic is impacted, should rockfalls occur on these remote
roads. Evidence of naturally occurring rockfalls, such as remnant boulders located at the
base of steep slopes, or in the run-out zones of these areas, will be documented prior to
mining.
Based on annual observations in the Apache Rocks and Box Canyon mining areas during
the last six years (1999-2004 inclusive), subsidence and any seismic activity caused by
longwall mining is not expected to significantly affect rockfall areas with an estimated high
to low rockfall potential. Only rockfall areas with an estimated very high rockfall potential
were noticeably affected. However, because there are no rockfall areas in the South of
Divide mining area with an estimated very hieh rockfall potential, longwall mining in this
area will not affect the rock fall potential.
Signs stating "Watch for Falling Rock" will be posted in strategic places along more well-
traveled roads, such as the roads along Minnesota Creek, Dry Fork and Lick Creek at least
one month prior to longwall mining and remain in place until approximately 18 months
after mining and iinitial subsidence is complete in the area. This procedure would be similar
to signs posted along such major interstate highways as I-70 in the Glenwood Canyon area,
where the rockfall potential and risk to travelers is high to very high compared to very low
to risk to traveler. in the South of Divide mining area).
2.05-133 Revised November 2004 PRIO