2008-07-25_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981010 (2)

Home Browse Search

Findings of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety for the Trapper Mine Information Source and Order of Findings These findings are based on information made available to the Division that demonstrates the applicant will be able to operate in compliance with the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act. As explained in the preceding section titled Introduction, various state laws require that these findings be made prior to approval of a permit renewal or revision. The findings which are required by Section 2.07.6(2) of the Regulations are listed in the same order as they are listed in that Section. The findings and specific approvals required by Section 2.07.6(2)(m) and Rule 4 are listed in the same order as they are listed in Rule 4, and are organized under subject or discipline subtitles. These findings were reevaluated and updated from the previous findings document to reflect changes which have occurred during the past permit term. Any stipulations from the original permit and findings document or subsequent revisions that have been totally resolved to the satisfaction of the Division, have been removed from this document. Part A - Findings required by Section 2.07.6(2) 1. The permit application is accurate and complete. All requirements of the Act and the Regulations promulgated thereunder have been complied with (2.07.6(2)(a)). 2. Based on information contained in the permit application and other information available to the Division, the Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation can be feasibly accomplished at the Trapper Mine (2.07.6(2)(b)). 3. The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts on the hydrologic balance by all anticipated coal mining in the general area, as described in 2.05.6(3). has been made by the Division. This assessment, titled Yampa River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment (CHIA), is available for inspection at the Division's Denver office. Page 63 of the CHIA document explains that potential spoils springs on the Trapper Mine may increase total dissolved solids (TDS) in the Yampa River by 9 to 89 mg/1, depending on the month. This contribution, in conjunction with TDS contributions to the Yampa River from other mining operations in the watershed, will not degrade the river's waters to the 1000 mg/1 TDS level, the level the Division considers as material damage (Page 65 of the Yampa River CHIA explains the 1000 mg/1 suspect level). Therefore, the Division finds that the operations proposed in the application have been designed to prevent damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. Please refer to section B. III. of this document for additional discussion of the probable hydrologic consequences of the Trapper Mine (2.07.6(2)(c)). Trapper Mine 17 July 25, 2008