2009-08-17_REVISION - C1980007 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 8/17/2009
• Doc Name: Completeness Letters
• From: DRMS
• To: State & Federal Agencies
• Type & Sequence: TR119
• Email Name: TAK
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
August 17, 2009
Tom Spezze
SW Regional Wildlife Manager
Colorado Division of Wildlife
SW Regional Service Center
415 Turner Drive
Durango, CO 81303
Re: West Elk Mine (Permit No. C-1980-007)
Technical Revision Application No. 119 (TR-119)
Sediment Control Pond MB-5E
Dear Mr. Spezze:
COLORADO
D I V I S ION OF
RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director
Ronald W. Cattany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety hereby issues notice, in accordance with Title 34, Article 33,
Section 116, Paragraph 4, of the Colorado Revised Statutes, that on August 17, 2009, an application to revise coal
mining operations at the West Elk Mine was considered complete for the purposes of filing. The revision was
submitted by Mountain Coal Company, LLC. All review and comment periods as provided in the Act and the
Regulations initiate from this date of filing.
The operator proposes to construct a new sediment control pond in the main surface facilities area of the mine,
pond MB-5E. This new pond will replace existing pond MB-5, and will serve the same drainage area as MB-5 and
the drainage areas of two other previously existing ponds, pond MB-1 (which will be converted to freshwater
storage and renamed pond FW-2) and pond MB-2R (which will be reclaimed). The application proposes work on
ditches and culverts necessary to direct water to the new pond MB-5E, and updates information in the permit
application related to runoff and sediment control in the main surface facilities area.
The underground coal mining operation is on land located approximately 9 miles east of Paonia, Colorado. The
permit area is further described as follows:
All or portions of. Sections 9 through 36 (inclusive), Township 13 South, Range 90 West; Sections 23 through 26
(inclusive), Township 13 South, Range 91 West; and Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, Township 14 South,
Range 90 West; all of the 6th Principal Meridian. Located in Gunnison and Delta Counties
The above-mentioned tracts of land are shown on USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle map of Somerset.
Because the above referenced technical revision application would incorporate additional lands into the permit
area or might otherwise alter previously approved permit conditions or mitigation measures, we are requesting
your agency's evaluation of the proposal. Your comments and concerns relating to the adequacy of fish and
wildlife resources information, the fish and wildlife plan, and the reclamation plan as it relates to fish and wildlife
considerations, including potential impacts to threatened or endangered species, are requested. If wildlife habitat
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