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United States Forest Paonia <br />USDA Department of Service Ranger District <br />Agriculture PHONE NO. 970-527-4131 <br />P.O. Box 1030 <br />N Rio Grande Ave. <br />Paonia, CO 81428 <br />FAX 970-5274151 <br />File Code: 2820-4 <br />Date: December 10, 2009 <br />Joe Dudash <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />CDRMS <br />1313 Sherman St, Rm 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Joe, <br /> <br />The Paonia Ranger District has finished its review of Bowie Resources', TR-65, amending their <br />-B-seam-mine-plaft.-try-accordanee-with procedures-Gutlined in-30-CFR 906,z30,=Appendk--B, the--- - -- <br />Forest Service reviewed the Revision for post-mining land use consistency with land use plan <br />(GMUG Forest Plan), and the adequacy of measures to protect non-mineral surface resources, <br />as proposed by Bowie in their application. <br />According to Bowie's Mine Permit, the post-mining land use is "Wildlife habitat". This is <br />consistent with the Forest Plan. With respect to lands managed by the Forest Service, it <br />appears that TR-65 only removes; previously approved, but never constructed, gob-vent <br />borehole locations and associated roads. <br />We have no objection to the reduction in disturbance. However, because of the drastically <br />different B-seam mine plan, the FS wishes to get clarification on how this TR will affect other <br />aspects of existing mine facilities on lands administered by the FS. Specifically, as mining <br />conditions have prevented the full development of the B-seam on the northern portion of federal <br />coal lease COC-61209, what is the expected use and reclamation schedule for the existing <br />boreholes, monitoring wells, dewatering wells, and ventilation shaft on FS lands? <br />The Forest Service wants to insure that as facilities are no longer needed for mining purposes, <br />they are reclaimed promptly. <br />Once we have the above information we will be able to better evaluate the proposal regarding <br />the adequacy of measures to protect Federal surface resources not covered by the coal lease. <br />If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Taylor of my staff at 970-527-4131, or via email <br />at rztaylor(a)-fs.fed.us . <br />Sincerel <br />LEVI K. BROYLES <br />District Ranger <br />cc: Bill Bear <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recyded Paper ??