2010-07-09_REVISION - C1981019 (4)

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Colowyo's Response: Colowyo will submit a technical revision to the Division reflecting the slow down in the progression of the West Pit by October of 2010. As Colowyo is currently moving through the budget planning phase for the subsequent years of 2011 and 2012 and allocating manpower, equipment hours, resolving coal quality and sequencing issues, a more rapid submittal course would result in the need to modem the map yet again. Colowyo concedes this is an issue that warrants attention, but the benefit gained by waiting until budget considerations are resolved in the short term will be worth the wait by requiring fewer updates moving forward. 2. Colowyo shows highwall mining of the E2-Seam in the South Taylor Pit from 2009-2012. Colowyo completed highwall mining in the area under the East Taylor Fill in 2009. Please advise the Division whether additional highwall mining is proposed for this area, as indicated on Map 23A - Mine Plan South Taylor Area. If no additional highwall mining is planned for this area, please update Map 23A to indicate that all highwall mining for this area was completed in 2009. Colowyo's Response: It is undecided at this time if and when additional highwall mining activities will continue in the South Taylor area. Colowyo reserves the right to keep these potential highwall mining areas on Map 23A. If a permanent change is made prior to 2012 confirming that no additional highwall mining activities will take place, Colowyo will, at such time, submit a technical revision revising the South Taylor mine plan on Map 23A of its permit. Colowyo is aware that additional information will need to be submitted and approved prior to the commencement of highwall mining activities in the South Taylor area for certain locations and will follow this established process. 3. If necessary, based on the progression of the South Taylor Pit, please update the highwall mining dates for the area that is proposed for highwall mining under the West Taylor Fill (2009-2012). Please note that specific approval for highwall mining in this area has not been granted and, prior to performing any highwall mining in this area, Colowyo must submit and have approved a technical revision specific to this area. Colowyo's Response: See response to comment #2. 4. There is text on Page 2.05-18 describing the Section 16 Pit and West Pit in the future tense (the pits will be developed). Since mining has been completed in the Section 16 Pit and nears completion in the West Pit, please update this text to discuss these pits in the present or past tense, as necessary. Colowyo may wish to keep some of the historical information describing the permitting of these pits but the remaining text needs to describe the pits as they are currently. Colowyo's Response: Colowyo will submit a minor revision by the end of August, 2010 to address this issue. 5. On page 2.05-19 Colowyo presents a chart of projected excess spoil as of 31 December 2006. This chart shows a balance of total excess spoil for the Streeter Fill, Section 16 Fill and West Pit Fill. Since these fills have been completed (with only the removal of Hink's Peak and final reclamation of the West Pit Fill remaining), please update this chart to show the volumes of excess spoil that went into each fill as well as the total excess spoil