2008-03-21_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Date: 3/21/2008
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision & Findings of Compliance for PR12
• From: add 1,517 acres/Dry Fork Lease
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Email Name: DIH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Division estimates the reclamation liability for mining operations in this permit renewal
to be $13,905,979.
The above bond amount reflects the Division's projection of reclamation costs for
worst-case disturbance that will occur during the current permit term [2.07.6(2)(j)].
11. The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland
within the part of the permit area that existed prior to Permit Revision 10, based on a
letter dated October 10, 1980, from the Soil Conservation Service that demonstrates that
no prime farmland mapping units are found within the permit area, updated with letters
from the US Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on
November 23, 2005, finding no prime farmland within the West Flatiron lease area. The
Division makes a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland within the
part of the permit area proposed for addition in Permit Revision No. 12, based on the
absence of land that has historically been used for cropland [2.07.6(2)(k)].
12. The Division has made a negative determination regarding alluvial valley floors within
the permit area [2.07.6(2)(k) and 2.06.8(3)(c)].
For additional findings concerning alluvial valley floors please see Section B, XVII.
13. The Division hereby approves the post-mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat
for this operation. It was determined that these uses meet the requirements of Rule 4.16
for the permit area [2.07.6(2)(1)].
14. Specific approvals have been granted or are proposed. These approvals are addressed in
the following section, Section B [2.07.6(2)(m)].
15. The Division verified with Office of Surface Mining on March 19, 2008 that the list of
threatened and endangered species contained in MCC's permit is current. The Division
finds that the activities proposed by the applicant would not affect the continued
existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of their critical habitats [2.07.6(2)(n)].
16. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch. As
of this time, Mountain Coal Company, the operator, is current in the payment of
reclamation fees required by 30 CFR Chapter VII, subchapter R [2.07.6(2)(0)]. MCC's
compliance information was verified through the use of the Applicant Violator System on
March 19, 2008.
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