2001-12-11_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (3)

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Mountain Coal Company West Elk Mine Post OfFce Box 591 Somerset, Colorado 81434 Telephone 970-929-5015 November 7, 1997 Mr. Michael Boulay Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Status Update -Minor Revision No. 218 (1997 Geotechnical Drilling Program); West Elk Mine; Permit No. C-80-007 Dear Mike: Mountain Coal Company (MCC) is providing this letter to update the Division on the status of the geotechnical drilling program, including reclamation, approved in Minor Revision No. 218, and to provide the Division the location of the three stream • crossings that were utilized to access some of the drilling areas. Enclosed is a copy of the map that was provided in the MR#218 application. The locations of the stream crossings are now included on the map. There were 1 ~ drilling areas and the status of the reclamation in each area is described below. All holes not completed as piezometers or inclinometers were abandoned as approved in the MR#218 application. Drill roads and pads not required to access the piezometers or inclinometers were backfilled, and topsoil replaced in accordance with the reclamation plan presented in the revision application. The 1997 drilling program is essentially completed, and MCC is currently in the process of completing the reclamation and seeding the reclaimed areas. Area 1: The holes in Area 1, in the vicinity of MB-5, were not completed this year. They will be drilled next year. Area 2: The two (2) holes in Area 2, in the vicinity of MB-2R, were completed and abandoned as approved. The holes were drilled in disturbed areas; therefore, site reclamation was not necessary. Area 3: The six (6) holes in Area 3, in the vicinity of the Material Storage Bench (MSB), were completed and abandoned as approved. The holes were drilled in disturbed areas; therefore, site reclamation was not necessary.