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STAT E O F CO LO RA DO
<br />DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
<br />Department of Natural Resources
<br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215
<br />Denver, Colorado 80203 C O L O RA D O
<br />D IV W I S I O N O F
<br />Phone: (303) 866-3567 RECLAMATION
<br />FAX: (:303) 832-8106 MINING
<br />
<br /> SAFETY
<br /> Bill Ritter, Jr.
<br />May 14, 2010 Governor
<br /> James B. Martin
<br />Dick Wolfe Executive Director
<br />Department of Natural Resources Loretta E. Pineda
<br />
<br />Division of Water Resources Director
<br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 818
<br />Denver, CO 80203
<br />Re: West Elk Mine (Permit No. C-1980-007)
<br />Technical Revision Application No. 121 (TR-121)
<br />Methane Drainage Wells E3-71, 75, 76, 78 and E4-76, 81, 82, 83
<br />Dear Mr. Wolfe:
<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 May 14, 2010, an application to revise coal mining operations at the
<br />West Elk Mine was considered complete for the purposes of filing. The revision was submitted by Mountain Coal Company,
<br />LLC. All review and comment periods as provided in the Act and the Regulations initiate from this date of filing.
<br />The operator proposes to drill eight methane drainage wells on U.S. Forest Service land, and develop associated roads and drill
<br />pads.
<br />The underground coal mining operation is on land located approximately 9 miles east of Paonia, Colorado. The permit area is
<br />farther described as follows:
<br />All or portions of Sections 9 through 36 (inclusive), Township 13 South, Range 90 West; Sections 23 through 26 (inclusive),
<br />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
<br />6th Principal Meridian.
<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 Gunnison County Clerk
<br />and Recorder, 221 N. Wisconsin, Gunnison, CO 81230, 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
<br />submitted within fifteen (15) days of this letter. If no comments are received by then, we will proceed on the assumption that
<br />you have no concerns with, or objections to, the applicant's proposal.
<br />Sincerely,
<br />T11.t /<41
<br />Tom Kaldenbach
<br />Environmental Protection Specialist
<br />C=rR-03 CI980007 TAK 05142010024009.doc
<br />Office of Office of
<br />Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines
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