Laserfiche WebLink
NOTICE OF PROPOSED DECISION <br />The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety proposes to Approve Permit Revision <br />Application No. 14, submitted by Mountain Coal Company, LLC for a coal mining permit at the West <br />Elk Mine (Permit No. C-1980-007). The applicant proposes to drill up to 152 methane drainage wells to <br />the mine's underground workings in longwall panels E-2 through E-12, during the next 12 years. The <br />wells will be drilled within the applicant's existing coal leasehold and mining permit area, on Federal <br />(USFS) and private lands. The total aggregate surface disturbance will be approximately 80 acres within <br />an approximate 6-square mile area. A Federal Environmental Impact Statement was previously prepared <br />for this project. The applicant is substituting this Permit Revision 14 for the proposed drilling project <br />previously submitted to the Division as Technical Revision 12. <br />The West Elk Mine is located in Gunnison County, approximately 9 miles East of Paonia, Colorado. The <br />Underground operation has an anticipated maximum production capacity of 8.5 million tons per year. <br />Coal interest is Federal and private, and the surface to be affected is Federal and private land. The permit <br />area encompasses approximately 17,154.90 acres. <br />This proposed decision is based on a finding that the proposed operation will comply with all <br />requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, Section 34-33-101, et seq., C.R.S., <br />and the regulations promulgated thereunder. <br />Copies of the proposed decision, including any stipulations, are on file for public inspection at the <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Room 215, Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman <br />Street, Denver, Colorado 80203 and at the Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder, 221 N. Wisconsin, <br />Gunnison, CO 81230. Persons with an interest that may be adversely affected by the proposed decision <br />may request a formal hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board on the proposed decision. Such <br />request must be made within thirty (30) days of the initial publication of this notice, must be in writing, <br />and must state with reasonable specificity the reasons for the request and the objections to the proposed <br />decision.