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panel, as the headgate entries and set-up room have not yet been developed to create a <br />longwall panel. As such, MCC has not changed its projected E seam mine plan as described <br />in the permit narrative as well as on Map 51, etc. As stand-alone developed entries (i.e. not <br />part of a longwall panel), these three entries have been designed to remain stable and viable <br />(i.e. will not crush or subside) and as such do not and will not cause any impacts to the surface <br />resources within or outside the permit area (within which all potential affects have been <br />projected.) <br />With these three entries, MCC has not changed its mine plan for the E3 panel, rather MCC <br />merely continued mining in the three entries to explore and verify where the actual minable <br />coal height diminished within the lease and permit boundaries rather than relying on <br />projections from drilling data and risking potential coal recovery issues in our federal coal <br />leases. MCC originally and historically provided the best possible estimate and projection of <br />where and when mining could reasonably be projected based on the closest (albeit widely <br />spaced) exploration drilling data and professional geologic interpretations. MCC (nor any of its <br />sister or neighboring operations) has never proposed or considered that the projected mining <br />and operations plans indicated on a single map (e.g. Map 51) was the absolute limit or <br />boundary of where MCC planned or ever intended to mine or explore. To do so is not <br />possible, is not business or operationally prudent, nor is it reasonable to expect or required by <br />the regulations. In fact, MCC's coal leases require maximum economic recovery of minable <br />coal resources, and mining and production inspections conducted by the BLM ensure that all <br />minable coal is identified and recovered. Should mining of the E3/E4 gateroad entries later <br />this year confirm that the minable coal height and condition is consistent with the height <br />identified in the exploratory entries (i.e. is consistent across the proposed E3 longwall panel), a <br />revision application will be provided to revise the projected E3 longwall panel setup room <br />further east (i.e. the eastern extent of the panel), as well as provide an additional update of the <br />most current mined areas. $ <br />Please contact me should you have questions regarding this submittal. <br />Sincerely, <br />K 'thleen G. Welt, <br />Environmental Engineer III <br />cc: David Berry - CDRMS <br />Chris Hansen - AWBG <br />Dan Hernandez - CDRMS <br />Doug Nolte - MCC