Laserfiche WebLink
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866 -3567 <br />FAX: (303) 832 -8106 <br />September 30, 2011 <br />Ms. Christy Woodward <br />International Uranium (USA) Corp. dba Denison Mines (USA) Co <br />Independence Plaza, 1050 <br />1050 Seventeenth St. Ste 950 <br />Denver, CO 80265 <br />Dear Ms. Woodward: <br />Office of <br />Mined Land Reclamation <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />RE: Requirements for an Environmental Protection Plan for Permitted Uranium Mining Operators <br />DRMS File #'s M- 1977 -285 (Sunday Mine), M- 1977 -416 (Carnation Mine), and M- 1981 -021 <br />(West Sunday Mine) �— <br />The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) is charged with ensuring that all uranium <br />mines comply with the Colorado Land Reclamation Act for Hard Rock, Metal Mining, and Designated <br />Mining Operations (Act) and regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB) for <br />Hard Rock, Metal Mining, and Designated Mining Operations (Rules). <br />With promulgation of the Rules, the Division is now requiring all uranium mine permit holders to gain <br />compliance with the Act and Rules. Section 34 -32 -116.5 (1) (a) C.R.S. states: "an environmental <br />COLORADO <br />D I V I S I O N O F <br />RECLAMATION <br />MINING <br />— &— <br />SAFETY <br />John W. Hickenlooper <br />Governor <br />Mike King <br />Executive Director <br />Loretta E. Pineda <br />Director <br />In May of 2008, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law House Bill 08 -1161 which amended the Act <br />as it relates to the mining and reclamation associated with uranium mines. The amended Act defines all <br />uranium mining operations, whether in -situ leach or conventional, as Designated Mining Operations <br />(DMO), § C.R.S 34 -32- 103(3.5) (a) (III). <br />Section 34 -32 -116.5 (5) C.R.S. states: "the board shall promulgate rules governing the form, content, and <br />requirements of an environmental protection plan for any DMO." From January 26, 2010 until August <br />2010 the MLRB conducted a rule making process that included organized public meetings, formal <br />hearings, and both oral and written testimony from all stakeholders. On August 12, 2010, the MLRB <br />approved amendments to the Rules that incorporated the changes to the Act as approved in 2008. The <br />promulgated Rules became effective September 30, 2010. <br />During the interim period from when the Act was signed in 2008 and the Rules promulgation in 2010, <br />the Division policy was to require EPP submittals for uranium mines in production, mines reactivating <br />during the time frame, or if conditions arose that required a change to the exisiting permit or site. This <br />was done to avoid any conflicts or changes brought about during the rule making process which could <br />affect the review and issuance of an EPP by the Division. <br />Office of <br />Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines <br />