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<br />DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
<br />Department of Natural Resources
<br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215
<br />Denver, Colorado 80203
<br />Phone: (303) 866-3567
<br />FAX: (303) 832-8106
<br />February 25, 2008
<br />Ryan Taylor
<br />U.S. Forest Service
<br />Paonia Ranger District
<br />P.O. Box 1030
<br />Paonia, CO 84128
<br />Re: Elk Creek and Sanborn Creek Mine (Permit No. C-1981-022)
<br />Technical Revision Application No. 58 (TR-58)
<br />Two GOB Vent Boreholes
<br />Dear Mr. Taylor:
<br />COLORADO
<br />D I V I S I ON OF
<br />RECLAMATION
<br />MINING
<br />SAFETY
<br />Bill Ritter, Jr.
<br />Governor
<br />Harris D. Sherman
<br />Executive Director
<br />Ronald W. Cattany
<br />Division Director
<br />Natural Resource Trustee
<br />The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety hereby issues notice, in accordance with Title 34, Article 33, Section 116,
<br />Paragraph 4, of the Colorado Revised Statutes, that on February 25, 2008, an application to revise coal mining operations at the
<br />Elk Creek and Sanborn Creek Mine was considered complete for the purposes of filing. The revision was submitted by Oxbow
<br />Mining, LLC. All review and comment periods as provided in the Act and the Regulations initiate from this date of filing.
<br />In Technical Revision No. 58, Oxbow Mining LLC is proposing to drill two gob vent boreholes. If the first borehole is successful,
<br />the second borehole may not be needed. Both holes would be drilled from existing drill pads using existing roads. No new surface
<br />disturbance is planned. One borehole is on land managed by the USDA-Forest Service while the other is on land managed by the
<br />Bureau of Land Management. Skid mounted pumps will be used to vent the methane into the atmosphere. Surveys of threatened &
<br />endangered species and cultural resources for the area have been previously made. The boreholes, mud pits and preexisting drill
<br />pads and roads will be reclaimed after use. Sediment control measures such as straw bales and silt fence will be utilized.
<br />The underground coal mining operation is on land located approximately 0 miles North of Somerset, Colorado. The permit area is
<br />further described as follows:
<br />Portions of Section 31, Township 12 South, Range 90 West;
<br />Portions of Sections 34, 35 and 36, Township 12 South, Range 91 West;
<br />Portions of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, all of 6 and 7, Portions North of the North Fork of the Gunnison River in Sections 8, 9, 10,
<br />portions of Sections 11, 12, and 17, Township 13 South, Range 90 West;
<br />Portions of Sections 1-3, 11-13, Township 13 South, Range 91 West of the 6th P.M.
<br />The above-mentioned tracts of land are shown on USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle map of Somerset.
<br />The applicant is required to publish notice in a local newspaper that this application has been deemed complete. At the time of
<br />publication of this notice, the applicant is additionally required to place a copy of this application at the Delta County Clerk and
<br />Recorder, 501 Palmer Street, Room 211, Delta, CO 81416, and at the Division office. For additional information or to provide
<br />written comments, contact the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Room 215, 1313 Sherman Street, Denver,
<br />Colorado 80203, (303) 866-3567. In order for us to comply with regulatory time frames, we request that comments be submitted
<br />within fifteen (15) days of this letter. If no comments are received by then, we will proceed on the assumption that you have no
<br />concerns with, or objections to, the applicant's proposal.
<br />Sin
<br />cerely
<br />?:W_ ? jnl_?414
<br />STATE OF COLORADO
<br />"to ttMental Protection Specialist Office of
<br />Mlnedvt 0$d\9&tat ?03_C1981022_JJD_02252008010538.doc Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines
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