Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Mr. Kent Gorham <br />July 14, 1994 <br />Page 3 <br />required by 2.05.6{6)(e)(i) and 2.05.6(6)(e)(i)(D) reasonably infers <br />consideration of site specific factors such as planned mining methods <br />(2.05.6(6)(e)(i){A), local geologic properties (2.05.6(6)(e){i)(B), local mining <br />experience (2.05.6(6)(e)(i)(C)), site-specific predicted angle-of-draw <br />(2.05.6(6)(e)(i)(E)), and the extent of the proposed mine workings <br />(2.05.6(6)(e)(i)(F)(ii)). With these factors taken into account, the subsidence <br />survey conducted for Orchard Valley determines that no material damage or <br />diminution of reasonably foreseeable use will occur to either structures or <br />renewable resource lands. Here again, a potential source of seemingly <br />contradictory language in the permit document is encountered. The initial <br />affirmative generalized determination of potential material damage required at <br />2.05.6(6)(b)(i) is followed by the more specific negative determination derived <br />from consideration of detailed plans and site specific characteristics as <br />specified on Volume 1, page 2.05-155. COVCC maintains these findings are not <br />contradictory and are justified in each instance after considering the relevant <br />factors as specified in the regulations. <br />In Orchard Valley's case, the latter determination described above then triggers <br />the requirement of Rule 2.05.6(6)(e)(iii) calling for a subsidence monitoring <br />program designed to determine the accuracy of the aforementioned prediction. The <br />subsidence monitoring program required by this rule is non-specific and does not, <br />as presented in the regulations, require adherence to the requirements of Rule <br />2.05.6(6)(c). Rule 2.05.6(6)(e)(iii) is the source of the subsidence monitoring <br />requirements originally included >n the Orchard Valley permit doctumttt. The <br />intent of the subsidence monitoring undertaken was and is to verify the accuracy <br />of the subsidence prediction required by Rule 2.05.6{6)(e){i)(D). <br />While the required subsidence monitoring at Rule 2.05.6(6)(e)(iii) is non- <br />specific and does not, as presented in the regulations, require adherence to the <br />requirements of Rule 2.05.6(6)(c), the text regarding the subsidence monitoring <br />program originally indicated in the permit did in fact suggest conformance to the <br />Rule 2.05.6(6)(c) specifications as noted on Volume 1, page 2.05-144. This text <br />was at least partially inconsistent and contradictory in that Rule <br />2.05.6(6)(c)(i)(B), to which the reader was referred for specific information, <br />presumably regarding the monitoring program, specified monitoring at less than <br />a quarterly frequency while Rule 2.05.6(6)(c)(i)(D) specified quarterly <br />monitoring. This contradictory language was rectified during the PR-3 process <br />with the text at Rule 2.05.6(6)(c)(i)(D) modified to reestablish consistency <br />within the permit docimient. This noted discrepancy in the permit text at Rule <br />2.05.6(6)(c)(i)(D) was believed to be an oversight which should have been <br />corrected with the approval of TR-6. <br />The original permit language did, on page 2.05-144, accurately and explicitly <br />docwnent the intent and purpose of the proposed subsidence monitoring and further <br />indicated that monitoring would continue until the operator and the Division <br />agreed that it was no longer required. Regardless of past apparent errors or <br />inconsistencies within the COVCC permit text, three points are evident. First, <br />the subsidence monitoring requirement applicable to Orchard Valley stems from <br />Rule 2.05.6(6)(e)(iii) rather than Rule 2.05.6(6)(c). Second, the requirements <br />of Rule 2.05.6(6)(c) are not necessarily and clearly applicable to monitoring <br />conducted urx3er Rule 2.05.6(6){e)(iii). Third, the Division has in the past <br />supported this interpretation as evidenced by the approval of previous subsidence <br />