2007-08-17_PERMIT FILE - C1981035 ‎(21)‎

• Permit No: C1981035
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 8/17/2007
• Doc Name: Environmental Assessments
• Section_Exhibit Name: KI Appendix 13
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• complies with the permitting requirements and that the coal
mining operation will meet the approved permanent program's
performance standards. If it does comply, Colorado DMG issues
the lessee a permit to conduct coal mining operations. OSM,
BLM, and other federal agencies review the permit application
package to ensure that it complies with the terms of the coal
lease; the requirements of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920;
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and other
federal laws and their attendant regulations. OSM recommends
approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval of the
mining plan to the Assistant Secretary - Land and Minerals
Management. Before the mining plan can be approved, BLM and
the surface-managing agency (if other than BLM) concur with
this recommendation.
Colorado DMG enforces the performance standards and permit
requirements during the mine's operation and has primary
authority in environmental emergencies. OSM retains oversight
responsibility for this enforcement. BLM has authority in
those emergency situations where Colorado DMG or OSM
inspectors cannot act before environmental harm or damage
occurs.
Background
The Hay Gulch area has historically been a coal producing
• area. Numerous abandoned mines exist throughout the Hay Gulch
drainage. However, except for the King Coal mine, there are
currently no active coal mining operations in the Hay Gulch
area or in LaPlata County.
National King Coal currently has approximately 594 acres under
Federal lease, approximately 160 acres under State lease and
approximately 280 acres under private lease which afford
minable coal reserves to the operation. All of these lease
areas are currently permitted with Colorado DMG. The surface
facilities at the mine are located on approximately 8 acres of
the private leased acreage.
The total remaining minable reserves in coal bed 1 as of
January 1, 1996 contained on leased lands controlled by
National King Coal is approximately 1.2 million tons. Most of
the mine's remaining Federal coal reserves are contained in
COC 49465 and C-20125. Except for chain pillars, lease P-
058300 was mined-out in 1982 but is part of an LMU to provide
a right-of-way to access more recently acquired fee and
Federal reserves.
To provide for their current market demands, National King
Coal produces 200,000 to 250,000 tons of coal annually. Total
mine production for 1995 was 208,642 tons. Federal production
for 1995 was 154,900 tons. There was no production from the
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