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Public Notice <br />The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (Division) has begun the process of <br />terminating its jurisdiction over the reclaimed Trinidad Basin Coal Mine (TBM). The permit area <br />and mine site are located about 5.5 miles west of the Ludlow exit on I -25 in Delagua Canyon in Las <br />Animas County. The disturbed and reclaimed areas are in Sections 15 and 22, T31 S R65W of the 6 1 ' <br />Principle Meridian. The permit area under consideration for termination of jurisdiction and final <br />liability release is approximately 1125 acres of which approximately 250 acres was disturbed for <br />surface operations and subsequently reclaimed. <br />The TBM coal mine was originally permitted by Trinidad Basin Mining, Inc., approved by the <br />Division in 1982. The projected life of the mine was five years based on an annual production of <br />240,000 tons per year. Due to a pattern of violations that occurred in late 1983 and early 1984, <br />the Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB) suspended the TBM mining permit. The Division <br />was notified by the operator of the cessation of mining operations in November 1985 and the <br />operator initiated reclamation operations. Following a another series of violations that occurred <br />between 1985 and 1992, in May 1993, the permit was permanently revoked by the MLRB and <br />the bond, in the amount of $132,280.00, was forfeited to the State of Colorado. <br />Since the permit was revoked and the bond was forfeited, the Division has completed <br />reclamation at the site utilizing all of the available bond monies. The Division has conducted <br />regular and periodic inspections to document any undesirable conditions or instability in the <br />reclamation work completed. Stability of the reclaimed land, successful revegetation of grasses, <br />forbs and shrubs, minimization of hydrologic impacts within the permitted area, and prevention <br />of hydrologic impacts outside the permitted area demonstrate that the site has been successfully <br />reclaimed over the past 12 years. Current post- mining land use of rangeland for cattle grazing <br />and ranchette development has been achieved and demonstrated over the revegetation liability <br />period. <br />This termination of jurisdiction process concludes the Division's oversight and involvement with <br />the TBM coal mine. No bond monies remain for release or disbursement to any party. Written <br />comments, objections, or requests for an informal conference regarding this termination of <br />jurisdiction may be submitted to the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, <br />1313 Sherman St, Rm. 215, Denver, CO 80203. Please submit those written comments within <br />30 days of the last publication of this notice. <br />