2011-07-06_REVISION - C1981022 (3)

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DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866 -3567 FAX: (303) 832 -8106 July 6, 2011 Tom Spezze SW Regional Wildlife Manager Colorado Division of Wildlife SW Regional Service Center 415 Turner Drive Durango, CO 81303 Re: Elk Creek Mine (Permit No. C- 1981 -022) Technical Revision Application No. 72 (TR -72) Methane Drainage Boreholes on Forest Service Land Dear Mr. Spezze: STATE OF COLOFADO COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING — &— SAFETY 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 July 6, 2011 an application to revise coal mining operations at the Elk Creek Mine was considered complete for the purposes of filing. The revision was submitted by Oxbow Mining, LLC. All review and comment periods as provided in the Act and the Regulations initiate from this date of filing. Oxbow Mining LLC is proposing to modify many of the GVB well sites, pads locations and roads associated with panel 17, 18, and 19. The underground coal mining operation is on land located approximately 0 miles North of Somerset, Colorado. The permit area is further described as follows: Township 12 South, Range 90 West, 6th PM Township 12 South, Range 91 West, 6th PM Township 13 South, Range 89 West, 6th PM Township 13 South, Range 90 West, 6th PM Township 13 South, Range 91 West, 6th PM Office of Mined Land Reclamation - all or parts of Sections 29 — 32 - all or parts of Sections 25 - 27 and 34 — 36 - all or parts of Sections 6 and 7 - all or parts of Sections 1 - 12 and 17 - all or parts of Sections 1 - 3 and 11 - 13 The above - mentioned tracts of land are shown on USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle map of Somerset. Because the above referenced technical revision application would incorporate additional lands into the permit area or might otherwise alter previously approved permit conditions or mitigation measures, we are requesting your agency's evaluation of the proposal. Your comments and concerns relating to the adequacy of fish and wildlife resources information, the fish and wildlife plan, and the reclamation plan as it relates to fish and wildlife considerations, including potential impacts to threatened or endangered species, are requested. If wildlife habitat is the proposed postmining land use, we request your evaluation of proposed woody plant stocking levels, planting Office of Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines