2010-05-14_REVISION - C1980007 ‎(4)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 5/14/2010
• Doc Name: Completeness Letters
• From: DRMS
• To: State & Federal Agencies
• Type & Sequence: TR121
• 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]
May 14, 2010
Assistant State Supervisor
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
764 Horizon Drive, South Annex A
Grand Junction, CO 81506-3904
Re: West Elk Mine (Permit No. C-1980-007)
Technical Revision Application No. 121 (TR-121)
Methane Drainage Wells E3-71, 75, 76, 78 and E4-76, 81, 82, 83
Dear Sir or Madam:
COLORADO
D I I IS I ON OF
RE(:LAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
James 13. Martin
Executive Director
Loretta E. Pineda
Director
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 May 14, 2010, an application to revise coal
alining 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 drill eight methane drainage wells on U.S. Forest Service land, and develop associated
roads and drill pads.
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.
The above-mentioned tracts of land are shown on USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle map of Somerset.
Because the above referenced technical revision application proposes new disturbance on 4.4 acres of land, the
Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is coordinating with the Office of Surface Mining on evaluation of
the potential for impacts to threatened or endangered species of plants or animals, or wildlife species otherwise
protected by federal law. A copy of the permit section addressing potential effects of the operation to threatened
and endangered (T&E) species has been forwarded to the Office of Surface Mining. The OSM will prepare the
biological assessment necessary for approval based on the information provided in the application, and OSM will
coordinate with your office as necessary. This coordination is required to ensure mitigation of potential impacts to
federally protected wildlife species.
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines