2009-05-22_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981044

• Permit No: C1981044
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 5/22/2009
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision & Findings of Compliance for RN5
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

The Trapper Mine is adjacent to the Eagle Mine Complex. The Trapper Mine has
completed coal extraction from the Colt Pit, located above the Eagle No. 6 Mine's
underground workings in T6N, R91W, Section 32. The seams being mined are
stratigraphically separated by an excess of 1,000 feet. Trapper Mine completed surface
mining in the Colt Pit prior to any mining occurring within the Eagle No. 6 Mine in areas
which could potentially cause subsidence disruption of the stratigraphic section to be
mined within the surface pit. Backfilling, grading, topsoiling, and seeding of the Colt Pit
occurred during the fall of 1993. The underground workings of the Eagle No. 6 Mine
progressed into TSN, R91 W, Section 5, during the fall of 1993.
10. The Division currently holds a bond of $3,552,679.00 in the form of a corporate surety and
an attached rider. The Division estimated the cost of reclamation to be $3,339,467.00 on
June 19, 2008. This bond is adequate to cover estimated liability for reclamation on the
permitted operation.
The above bond amount reflects the Division's projection of reclamation costs for worst-
case disturbance which could occur during the proposed permit term upon resumption of
operations. It also reflects 100 percent bond release from reclamation work completed by
the operator in 1990 at the Craig Town Loadout area of the mine. This release was
approved by the Division during previous permit terms (2.07.6(2)(j)).
11. The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland within
the permit area. The decision was based on a letter from the Soil Conservation Service
dated February 2, 1982. Although soil types 03B and fine sandy loam 0-56 are found
adjacent to the Williams Fork River, this area is not considered prime farmland.
Approximately 50 percent of the 03B soil was disturbed prior to the enactment of SMCRA
and is considered an industrial site. Therefore, no areas designated as prime farmland are
found within the Eagle Mines permit area (2.07.6(2)(k)).
12. Based on information provided in the application, the Division has determined that three
alluvial valley floors exist within the permit or adjacent area. The alluvial valley floors are
known as Williams Fork alluvial valley floor, Yampa River/Big Bottom alluvial valley
floor, and Yampa River/Round Bottom alluvial valley floor. Development mains for the
No. 6 Mine were constructed under the Williams Fork River and it's associated alluvial
valley floor (2.07.6(2) and 2.06.8(3)(C)). No impacts to the river or the alluvial valley
floor were observed after the mains were constructed. No development is currently
proposed for the Yampa River/Big Bottom or Yampa River/Round Bottom alluvial valley
floors. For additional specific findings concerning these alluvial valley floors, please see
Section B.XI.
13. The Division hereby approves the post-mining land use of the operation. It was
determined that rangeland/wildlife, pastureland, and cropland meet the requirements of
Rule 4.16 for the permit area (2.07.6(2)(i)).
14. Specific approvals have been granted or are proposed. These approvals are addressed in
the following section, Section B (2.07.6(2)(m)).
Eagle Mine Complex 16 Permit Renewal 05
C-1981-044 May 22, 2009