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Contents <br />I. Introduction <br />II. History of the Coal Gulch Mine <br />III. Criteria and Schedule for Bond Release <br />IV. Observations and Findings <br />V. Summary <br />VI. Proposed Decision <br />1. INTRODUCTION <br />Purpose of this Document <br />This document presents the findings of compliance and the proposed decision of the Colorado <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) for the Termination of Jurisdiction (TOJ) at <br />the Coal Gulch Mine (Permit No. C-84-067). The Coal Gulch Mine is a permit revocation/bond <br />forfeiture site. The Division file number for the bond release application is SL-01. The Division <br />initiated this TOJ process following two years of vegetation sampling at the site and completion of <br />the required minimum ten-year liability period for revegetation of the disturbed area. <br />Background Information Sources <br />For a TOJ, the Division follows the requirements for review, public notice, and public participation <br />that are required for a bond release application, as set forth in Rule 3.03. Detailed information about <br />the bond release review process can be found in the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, <br />the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining, and in the <br />Guideline Rejzarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995. The "Sections" <br />referred to in this document are those in the Regulations. Detailed information about mining and <br />reclamation operations at Coal Gulch Mine can be found in mining and reclamation permit <br />application No. C-84-067 on file at the Division offices, located at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, <br />in Denver, Colorado. <br />Location of Bond Release Area <br />The Coal Gulch Mine was an underground coal mine where mining activities were most recently <br />conducted under Division mining and reclamation Permit No. C-84-067. This permit was revoked <br />on November 15, 1988 and the $140,000 bond forfeited on August 22, 1990. The site is located in <br />La Plata County, Colorado, 4.5 miles west of the town of Durango, next to U. S. Highway 160 on the <br />north side of the road. The permit area is located on private and state lands in Section 16, NE '/ of <br />Section 21, and portions of NW'/NW'/, N%2SW'/NW'/ of Section 22, all located in T35N, RI OW, <br />of the New Mexico Principal Meridian. Coal ownership is private and State. <br />Lands included in the Termination of Jurisdiction Process <br />The permit area encompassed 725 acres, of which 16.5 of land surface were disturbed.