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<br />Mr. Kent Gorham <br />July 14, 1994 <br />Page 4 <br />monitoring frequency reduction requests. Subsequent to the approval of the <br />original monitoring plan, the Division, on two occasions, approved formal <br />modifications to the subsidence monitoring requirements contained in the permit. <br />TR-6 and TR-16 each requested reductions in the frequency of subsidence <br />monitoring and both were approved. TR-6 provided a simple reduction in the <br />frequency of required monitoring aril reporting. TR-16 established that <br />sufficient data had been collected to verify the conservative nature of the <br />subsidence predictions contained in the subsidence survey. A further reduction <br />in required monitoring was approved on this basis. In addition, as early as <br />November, 1982, corresporx3ence from the Division to CWI indicated less than <br />quarterly monitoring frequency was acceptable due primarily to weather and access <br />constraints. The corresponding changes in the permit docwnent text were <br />apparently not formally incorporated via technical revision although the <br />correspondence itself was included in Volume 3 at some point in time. <br />In strict accordance with Rule 2.05.6(6) (b) (iii) (B) , the subsidence control plan <br />specified at Rule 2.05.6(6)(f) was not required in this instance as a subsidence <br />survey was prepared instead. Nonetheless, primarily to incorporate particular <br />subsidence control measures specified >r federal coal lease C-37210 into the CDMG <br />permit docimient, CWI opted to include a subsidence control plan as well. With <br />the exception of incorporating the subsidence control measures specified in <br />federal coal lease C-37210 into the permit, this portion of the docimient details <br />what are in effect voluntary measures undertaken to further protect or repair <br />specific structures and/or features. This portion of the permit text references <br />the "Subsidence Repair Handbook" for specific repair measures that will be <br />implemented in the event of subsidence damage. The handbook was developed based <br />upon the projection of worst case subsidence impacts in the area as identified <br />in the subsidence survey. The repair measures identified as potentially <br />necessary under this worst case scenario were all found to be economically and <br />technologically feasible. This projection of worst case potential impacts and <br />repair measures has been proven valid to the degree that subsidence monitoring <br />to date indicates the actual effects of subsidence are much less pronounced than <br />those projected in the subsidence survey. <br />with regard to the specifics of the Division's request to modify the permitted <br />subsidence monitoring program, CDVCC provides the folloaring responses: <br />o COVCC does not find contradictory language within the permit doc~mient with <br />regard to whether or not material damage is predicted. Although the <br />regulations are somewhat convoluted, the permit language is consistent <br />with and defendable under the specific terms of the regulations. <br />o COVCC believes the current inventory of renewable resources and structures <br />to be accurate. Subsidence monitoring required to verify predictions as <br />specified in Rule 2.05.6(6)(e)(iii) has previously been undertaken and the <br />predictions made under the subsidence survey have in fact been verified to <br />be reasonably accurate and conservative. <br />o Survey points have in fact been established at those structures (i.e. <br />buildings) scheduled to be undermined which are not otherwise protected by <br />virtue of a buffer zone or solid coal block. These points were initially <br />surveyed, in accordance with current commitments in the permit, prior to <br />