2008-12-03_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1992081

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A biological inventory of stream bottom fauna for Dry Creek was conducted in association with the permit application for the nearby Seneca II-W Mine (Permit C 82-057). All listed threatened or endangered species in the area, as well as other species of concern, have been referred to in the permit and their habitat requirements and potential for occurrence described (as requested by both the Division and USFWS). For information on protection afforded to Dry Creek's aquatic community and any threatened and endangered species and other species of concern possibly present, please refer to Section B, Item XII of this document. Cultural Resources Information on cultural resources can be found in Volume 1, Tab 5 of the permit application. A finding of no impact can be found in Section A, Item 5 of this document. Description of the Operations Plan Detailed information on the Loadout's Operation Plan is found in Tab 12 of the permit application. Reclamation activities associated with the Loadout and rail loop are described in Tabs 16 - 20, Tab 23, and in Section B of this document. Construction of the Loadout and rail loop began in 1978 and coal was shipped to market from the facility until early 1987. Coal was again stored at the Loadout beginning late in 1992. Coal has been removed and no coal is currently (2008) stored on the site. TR5, approved July 24, 2000, allowed for using the Loadout site to off load coal from incoming rail cars. TR6 provided more detail for "load-in" operations. At the date of this findings document, facilities approved in TR6 have not been constructed. The "load-in" facilities are approved to handle 2,000,000 tons of coal per year. Coal would then be hauled by truck along the Tie Across Haul Road (permitted in the Seneca II-W permit, Permit No. C1982-057) to the Hayden power plant. Prior to utilization as a "load in" facility, HGTI will need to construct support facilities as approved in the permit. Air emissions permits will need to be renewed with the Colorado Air Pollution Control Department prior to implementation of "load in" operations. Water control systems and sediment ponds throughout the permit area are appropriate for the "load in" operation. The existing roads will be used for the "load in" operations with the addition of a new haul road, HGLF-HR2. HGTI retains the option of operating the facility as a coal loadout, and may store up to 50,000 tons of coal at the Loadout and ship 1,000,000 tons of coal per year. Facilities currently located on the site are for loadout capabilities. Recovered coal is trucked to the site and either stored in an emergency coal storage area or put immediately through a grizzly and crushing station to be stored in the main coal stockpile awaiting shipment. Shipment to the customer is either by train or truck from the same tipple. Permitted roads inside the permit area are: approximately 4,061 linear feet of haul road (HGLF- HR1), one access road, and one light-use road. The railroad spur is approximately 3.3 miles long and begins 0.3 miles from the town of Hayden; it serves as a connection to the existing Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (see Exhibit 12-1, "Facilities Map").