2011-01-13_REVISION - C1981038 ‎(8)‎

• Permit No: C1981038
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 1/13/2011
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision & Findings
• From: DRMS
• To: Bowie Resources, LLC
• Type & Sequence: PR4
• Email Name: JJD
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

collected from these monument grids allowed verification in some cases, and supported redesign
in other cases, of the subsidence control plans proposed by the operator for implementation in
the future.
The subsidence monitoring program for buildings and structures continues with the monitoring
of the Pitkin Mesa pipeline. Monuments PL-1 through PL-7 continue to be measured twice a
year and the results submitted to the Division in the Annual Report.
On May 10, 1996, the West Mine experienced a large bounce in Panel 2 Right. The pillaring
plan at that time was subsequently revoked by the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA). A modified plan, allowing only the mining of bottom coal in certain areas, was
approved by MSHA.
BRL submitted Technical Revision No. 16 to the Division in October 1991. The revision
allowed BRL to temporarily discontinue subsidence monitoring over inactive portions of the
original mine, which have been sealed since 1986. Annually submitted subsidence data has
indicated that the area has stabilized. The Division approved the revision February 11, 1992.
With the approval of Technical Revision No. 45 in January of 2005, Division approval was
given to suspend subsidence monitoring of the wide-spaced subsidence monument stations 14,
15, 16, 6, 81, 82, 83, 95, 99, DH-55, DH-65, and DH-68. With the approval of TR-45, the only
required subsidence monitoring involves those stations associated with the Pitkin Mesa pipeline,
namely, stations PL-1 through PL-7.
The subsidence portion of the application is in compliance with the Regulations.
XVI. Concurrent Surface and Underground Mining - Rule 4.22
This section is not applicable to the Bowie No. 1 Mine.
XVII. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors - Rule 4.24
The discussion of Alluvial Valley Floors can be found on pages 5-6, Section 2.06 of Volume 1;
in the AVF Appendix A, Volume 4 and in the Geo-Hydro Phase 2 studies.
Identification of Alluvial Valley Floors
The general area in which the Bowie No. 1 Mine is situated contains several deposits of
alluvium. These alluvial deposits are derived from three sources: 1) Flood-plain alluvium (Qal)
along the North Fork of the Gunnison River; 2) Valley-fill deposits (Qvf) along a portion of
Steven's Gulch; and 3) Alluvial gravel (Qag) divided into three (3) age categories younger
(Qagy), middle (Qagm) and older (Qago). The valley fill deposits are located along the North
Fork Valley side slopes.
The applicant has identified alluvial/colluvial deposits in a second area that is located along
Steven's Gulch in the W 1/2 NW 1/4 of Section 13, T13S, R92W. As identified in the Phase 1
AVF Study, the area is approximately 20 acres in size and is composed of valley-fill deposits
(Qvf). The mine has a well in this deposit that can pump 30,000 GPD from the
alluvium/colluvium. Depth to water varies from about 7 feet in May to approximately 36 feet in
February. The area is high and isolated, but has been used for pasture-hay meadow. The area is
not flood irrigated, has not been flood irrigated, and is too high in elevation to be flood irrigated
(at this elevation, the growing season is too short for the normal flood irrigated crops).
Subirrigation is limited to areas along the stream channel itself. The area is determined not to be
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